Pretoria: Patient dies in fire at Dr George Mukhari Hospital

A patient has died after a fire broke out in one of the psychiatric wards at Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria. 

The incident happened on Monday, 24 June. 

PATIENT KILLED IN DR GEORGE MUKHARI HOSPITAL FIRE 

City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Charles Mabaso said they were notified of the incident at approximately 18:44 and immediately dispatched firefighting resources to the incident. 

Mabaso said firefighters arrived on the scene to find that the hospital staff had already extinguished the fire in a single isolation ward using portable fire extinguishers. 

“A female patient aged 35 years suffered burns inside the ward and unfortunately lost her life. She was declared dead by a medical doctor on the scene. A total of 19 female patients were safely evacuated to another psychiatric ward with no injuries. Firefighters conducted positive pressure ventilation to rid the ward of excessive smoke,” he explained. 

Mabaso said the cause of the fire is not yet known, and the scene was handed over to the South African Police Services (SAPS). 

GAUTENG HEALTH SENDS CONDOLENCES 

The Gauteng Department of Health said the deceased female patient was admitted at Dr George Mukhari Hospital on 20 June. She was placed in a seclusion room on Monday as part of her prescribed treatment. 

“The Department wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the patient’s family as they mourn the sudden passing of their daughter. Both the bereaved family and the families of the 17 patients will be taken through a debriefing. Counselling services will also be made available to them,” Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said.