In the early hours of Saturday, November 23, 2024, a fire incident at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital prompted immediate response protocols and swift action from the hospital's management team and local emergency services.
Fortunately, no patients or staff members were harmed in the event, which was caused by smoke emanating from a malfunctioning uninterrupted power supply (UPS) lithium battery backup system.
The incident unfolded around 12:45am when dense smoke began to fill the hospital's level 6 to level 3. Upon detection of the smoke, hospital management wasted no time and initiated emergency procedures designed to safeguard the wellbeing of patients, particularly those in sensitive areas such as the cardiac and paediatrics intensive care units (ICUs).
Patients from the affected ICUs were relocated to alternative wards while the emergency response unfolded. "We commend our staff for their prompt actions, which ensured the safety of our patients during a potentially hazardous situation," said a spokesperson from the Gauteng Department of Health.
The City of Tshwane’s Emergency Services Department fire brigade responded efficiently to the distress call, arriving on the scene to tackle the fire and clear the smoke. Their quick intervention was key in preventing the situation from escalating further, with the blaze being confined strictly to the UPS unit in the plant room. Thanks to coordinated efforts, the hospital building itself did not suffer any damage.
In the aftermath of the incident, the department has engaged a contractor to assess the damage and is prepared to move forward with necessary repairs once the evaluation is completed. Air quality sampling and a thorough cleaning are currently underway to eliminate any remnants of smoke before returning evacuated patients to their wards.
As normal operations resume, the department has expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their exceptional service during the crisis and reassured the public of the facility's commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards.