Fire erupts in Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan

A massive fire broke out in the operation theatre of Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. The fire brigade officials said the blaze was apparently caused by an electricity short-circuit. The incident led to smoke spreading through parts of the hospital, prompting an immediate evacuation of patients from the operation theatre. Rescue teams reached the hospital within two minutes and launched an operation to bring the fire under control, which they did after about 10 minutes. No casualties have been reported so far. Deputy Commissioner Rahim Yar Khan Zaheer Anwar Jappa took notice of the incident and sought an immediate report from the relevant authorities. He directed the Assistant Commissioner to reach the hospital, assess the situation, and coordinate with the concerned departments. The district administration said the cause of the fire and the safety arrangements at the hospital were being reviewed. The hospital authorities have also been asked to provide a detailed report on the incident. The officials said a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess whether all required safety measures were in place. The incident comes after recent reports of fires at major healthcare facilities, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad and General Hospital in Lahore, raising concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness at public hospitals. Reporter: Amir Bhatti