Mumbai: Quick-thinking doctors, staff at Vikhroli Hospital save the day

A patient is evacuated on a stretcher after the cable spark caused panic

A spark in the main cable of an air suction motor caused panic at the civic-run maternity home late on Saturday night. The alert hospital staff promptly relocated six patients from the intensive care unit to the Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Maternity Home in Tagore Nagar, Vikhroli.

The senior doctor present during the incident told Mid-Day, "The doctor on duty in the ICU unit detected a burning smell around 1.47 am. Upon informing the casualty department staff, they discovered that the smell originated from the suction motor room adjacent to the ICU. The The electricity supply in that room was promptly disconnected."

Fire officials arrived at the site for an inspection

"As a safety measure, we relocated patients. Our hospital electrician examined both the power supply and motor, and the civic team of electric and mechanical experts assessed the situation. Following their report, we decided to shift the patients to the ICU. I can reassure you that all patients are currently stable," the doctor added.

A 65-year-old patient, Shivaji Dhele, on ventilator support in the ICU, was transferred to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital in a ventilator-supported ambulance. Another patient, 60-year-old Vimal Tiwari, was transported to Rajawadi Hospital in an oxygen-supported ambulance.

Head of Civic Peripheral Hospital, Dr Pratima Patil said, "No fire was reported; there was only a smell resembling fire. Our doctors and staff promptly took action after the incident."

Chief Fire Official Ravindra Amburlgekar clarified further, stating, "There was no fire; hospital staff acted promptly when there was a smell resembling fire from the suction motor room. Our team inspected it, and there's a possibility the smell was caused by a short circuit. It's good that the hospital staff shut down the electricity supply immediately."

The maternity home has three floors, with the current utilisation comprising two floors, including the ground floor, which is used by the hospital.

1.47 am
Time when the burning smell was detected