Patient dies in horrific fire at Umlazi hospital
A patient in isolation in an Umlazi hospital died in a fire allegedly caused when he lit his cigarette lighter.
A PATIENT at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi has died after allegedly igniting a cigarette lighter while in close proximity to an oxygen mask he was wearing, which led to a fatal blaze.
In a statement the KZN Department of Health (DoH) confirmed the incident, which occurred during the evening of February 18.
Also read: Another burst delays water restoration in Isipingo Beach
“The patient, who had been admitted to the hospital on February 14, was placed in isolation, due to his medical condition. The incident took place at about 19:00 during visiting hours. Another patient in the ward alerted the nursing staff, who immediately responded to the emergency. Upon arrival, the ward was filled with smoke, and the staff quickly retrieved fire extinguishers to contain the blaze,” said the DoH.
The fire was contained to his single bed cubicle. The Department further confirmed that the facility has running water and that fire detection and water sprinklers kicked in to extinguish the fire.
The matron on duty was also notified and assisted in managing the situation. Despite the swift response, the patient who is alleged to have caused the fire sustained severe burns and tragically succumbed to his injuries.
No other patients or staff members were injured in the incident. However, as a precautionary measure, all patients closer to the affected isolation ward were clinically examined for potential smoke inhalation.
The MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomagugu Simelane, has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time. She has also urged calm and reassured families with relatives at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital that all patients are safe and that the situation is under control.
The incident is currently under investigation by the police in order to determine the circumstances surrounding it.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
