Fire hits Philippine General Hospital in Manila

A fire broke out at the Philippine General Hospital in Ermita, Manila on Monday morning.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) raised the first alarm at 6:07 a.m., then the second alarm at 6:21 a.m.

The hospital's audio visual room was affected, according to the BFP.

PGH's Out Patient Department (OPD) was also affected, according to a report by Manny Vargas on Super Radyo dzBB.

FIRE ALERT: Sunog, sumiklab sa isang bahagi ng Philippine General Hospital (PGH) sa Maynila; itinaas na sa ikalawang alarma. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/bQWXQBUae4

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 15, 2024

Patients at the OPD, with some on stretchers and wheelchairs, were evacuated, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.

Those who were intending to donate blood in another building in the compound also evacuated.

The Department of Health meanwhile said it is ready to assist PGH in transferring patients if needed.

"The Department of Health (DOH) is on standby to receive patient transfers from the UP Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) should there be a need. DOH is aware of the ongoing fire incident at its allied hospital, and is giving way for fire personnel to address the situation. We continue to monitor developments," it said.

"All ambulances inbound to the UP-PGH this morning are advised to coordinate again for possible diversion to other hospitals, including DOH hospitals, to relieve PGH for the meantime," DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said.

The BFP announced fire out at 7:08 a.m.

At 7:23 a.m., patients were allowed to go back to the OPD.

According to initial information from firemen, the fire started in a room on the second floor of the Central Block Building.

However, the Manila Fire District later said the fire started due to an overheating air conditioner at the "call room" at the mezzanine of the Main Building.

"Ang involved po natin is a mezzanine which is ginagawang doctor’s quarters na doon nagpapahinga mga doctor natin. Ang involved po natin doon overheat aircondition," Manila Fire District Intelligence and Investigation Section chief Fire Senior Inspector Alejandro Ramos said.

(The area involved [in the fire] is the mezzanine which is being used as doctor's quarters where physicians can rest. An overheating air conditioner was involved.)

"Siguro sa sobrang overuse kaya that’s why nagkaroon ng overheating," he added.

(Maybe the air conditioner overheated due to overuse.)

Isang kwarto sa mezzanine sa Main Building ng Philippine General Hospital (PGH) sa Maynila, nasunog. Ayon sa Manila Fire District, tinatawag itong “call room”

Sa inisyal na imbestigasyon, nagsimula raw ang apoy sa airconditioning unit. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/6A2d5KiOT7

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) September 16, 2024

No one was injured in the fire.

Initial estimate of property damage was at P15,000. —KG, GMA Integrated News