Puttur: Fire breaks out at Taluk Hospital, prompt action averts tragedy

Team Udayavani, Dec 23, 2023, 11:41 AM IST

image source: X / @DrVivekBindra

Puttur: A fire reportedly broke out at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Taluk Hospital here in the early hours of Saturday.

Immediate response from firefighters as well as locals prevented any casualties. The incident occurred between 12.30 am and 1 am.

As soon as the fire alarm sounded, the two patients in the ICU were swiftly relocated to safety.

According to local media reports, Dr. Asha Putturaya, the hospital’s medical officer said that the fire originated due to a malfunctioning chip in the air conditioning unit. The air conditioning system and nearby medical instruments sustained damage in the incident, she reportedly said.

MLA Ashok Rai, who was in Mangaluru at the time, repeatedly rushed to the scene. Local youths, Datta Maladharis from the Puttur VHP office worked alongside the firefighters and helped the hospital staff in the cleanup.

An investigation is underway.