By Everson Luhanga
- Patients were safely evacuated from Tembisa Hospital’s emergency unit after a fire broke out on Saturday afternoon.
- The hospital is not taking new patients and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Patients were safely evacuated from Tembisa Hospital’s emergency unit after a fire broke out on Saturday afternoon.
The hospital is not taking new patients and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
A fire broke out at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, forcing a quick evacuation of patients.
The Gauteng Department of Health said no one was hurt and there were no deaths.
Spokesperson Motala Modiba said hospital staff and emergency teams acted fast to move all patients to safer areas within the hospital.
Firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni and Gauteng Emergency Medical Services managed to contain the flames and are now working to put out what’s left and check the damage.
They are also counting the patients who were in the affected area to make sure everyone is safe.
Modiba said the fire only affected the Accident and Emergency Unit and did not spread to other parts of the hospital.
He confirmed the hospital has stopped receiving patients and will remain on divert until further notice.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and the department is still investigating.
City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services’ Eric Maloka said the fire was under control, but thick smoke still hung over the hospital.
He said rescue teams were still on the scene and checking if nearby Zamokuhle Hospital was affected by the smoke.
Pictured above: Tembisa Hospital where the emergency unit caught fire.
Image source: Supplied
