Fire partially destroys ward, roof of Ulu Kinta hospital

Afternoon blaze triggers panic, evacuation of staff and patients in male ward.

PETALING JAYA: Panicked patients and staff were evacuated during a fire that broke out today in Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta (HBUK) in Ipoh, the New Straits Times Online reported.

About 20 patients was transferred to safety from the male ward, which was partially destroyed, as were the adjoining storeroom and the roof, in the afternoon blaze.

No injuries were reported.

Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Yahya Madis said firefighters were despatched to the scene immediately after the department received the alert at 1.09pm. A team from Simpang Pulai was also deployed to the hospital.

“The roof of the ward was destroyed by as much as 40%, and the fire had spread to the storeroom, which is next to the ward,” he said.

Yahya said the fire and rescue operation ended at 2pm.

Perak health acting director Dr Rahimi Goon said the HBUK had recently undergone a safety standard operating procedure audit, that was submitted to the health ministry. -FMT