Short circuit triggers fire at Rewa’s National Hospital; patients evacuated

Short circuit blamed for blaze; no serious injuries reported as staff and local firefighters doused flames and evacuated patients.

A short circuit in a wing of Rewa’s National Hospital on Tuesday afternoon sparked a fire that sent patients, attendants and staff rushing out of the building, hospital officials and local authorities said.

What happened
According to hospital sources and initial on-site accounts, the blaze began in a corridor near the outpatient block at around 2:10 pm. Smoke and flames spread quickly, prompting alarm among those inside. “There was thick smoke and people started coming out of the wards,” a staff nurse who asked not to be named told reporters at the scene.

Immediate response
Hospital staff activated the in-house fire response and used portable extinguishers while calling the Rewa fire station, officials said. Local firefighters arrived within about 15–20 minutes and helped bring the situation under control. Management said the hospital’s automatic alarm and emergency-lighting system alerted staff promptly.

Evacuation and casualties
Patients, their relatives and non-critical cases were evacuated to an open area beside the hospital; critical patients were shifted to other wards inside under supervision. Initial reports indicate there were no deaths and no serious injuries. A few people complained of mild breathing difficulty from smoke inhalation and were treated at the hospital’s emergency department and released, officials said.

Cause being probed
Early assessments by the hospital’s maintenance team point to an electrical short circuit in a junction near the corridor as the likely cause. “Preliminary indication is a short circuit,” a hospital manager said. “We have handed over the matter to the electrical department and local authorities for a thorough probe.” The municipal electrical inspector and the fire department will examine wiring and safety compliance, the manager added.

Ground-level reactions
Residents and shopkeepers in the surrounding Saman police station area gathered outside as firefighters battled the flames, creating brief congestion on the adjoining road. “We saw smoke and everyone rushed out. It was scary for a while,” said a relative of a patient who was present. Traffic police diverted vehicles away from the hospital to allow emergency services unimpeded access.

Damage and impact
Though authorities said the fire was limited to a section of the building, it caused damage to electrical fittings, ceiling panels and some furniture. Hospital officials have not provided a final estimate of financial loss. Several outpatient appointments scheduled for the late afternoon were postponed and will be rescheduled, management confirmed.

Safety measures and next steps
Hospital management issued a statement saying it will review and strengthen safety protocols to prevent recurrence. “We will conduct a full audit of electrical systems and emergency procedures,” the statement read. The Rewa municipal corporation and district administration have been informed and will monitor follow-up actions, a municipal official said.

Context and background
Fires triggered by electrical faults in crowded indoor settings have been a recurring safety concern across India, prompting periodic government advisories on electrical maintenance and fire drills in public institutions. Local fire officials said the National Hospital’s quick internal response likely prevented a larger disaster.

Forward look
The fire department has registered an incident report and will file a technical cause report after inspecting the site. Hospital authorities have asked staff to remain on heightened alert and said they will update patients and the public once the investigation concludes. In the meantime, routine services are expected to resume after safety checks and minor repairs.