Patients were safely evacuated after an electrical spark reportedly triggered a fire in the Urology Ward of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital.
BANNU: A fire broke out in the Urology Ward of Khalifa Gul Nawaz Hospital on Monday, prompting the evacuation of patients from the affected area. No casualties were reported.
Rescue 1122 said its fire rescue team reached the hospital within about five minutes of receiving the emergency call and immediately began firefighting and rescue operations.
The blaze was brought under control within around 10 minutes, while all patients in the affected ward were safely evacuated to a secure area, according to Rescue 1122.
Medical Teaching Institute Bannu spokesperson Mohammad Noman said the fire appeared to have started after an electrical spark.
Hospital staff acted quickly after detecting the fire, evacuating patients and attempting to contain the blaze before Rescue 1122 arrived.
Noman said the staff’s rapid response prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the hospital. He added that hospital employees had recently received special training in firefighting and emergency response.
The training was conducted following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Noman said hospital staff applied the training during Monday’s incident and credited their quick response and coordination with Rescue 1122 for preventing a major accident.
The Bannu incident comes amid increased attention to fire-safety measures at hospitals and other public buildings across Pakistan.
The focus follows an Aug. 26 fire at PIMS, where 14 newborns reportedly died after a blaze broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital.
The tragedy prompted public concern and calls for stronger fire-safety standards at healthcare facilities.
Authorities in several provinces have since increased inspections, ordered safety audits and directed public institutions to improve emergency preparedness.
In Sindh, a safety assessment of government hospitals identified major gaps, including inadequate fire alarms, sprinklers and firefighting equipment.
Punjab has also ordered fresh safety checks at public and private hospitals, with authorities directed to review emergency exits, firefighting equipment, hydrants and electrical systems.
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