A fire outbreak has disrupted activities at the oncology unit of the National Hospital, Abuja, forcing the emergency evacuation of patients and medical personnel from the facility.
The incident, believed to have been triggered by an electrical fault, was however swiftly contained before it spread to other sections of the hospital.
Patients receiving treatment at the oncology department on Monday, including those undergoing emergency care and chemotherapy sessions, were moved to safer units within the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Although the fire was extinguished without casualties, traces of smoke continued to linger around the affected area hours after the incident, prompting hospital authorities to temporarily relocate operations from the unit.
A witness at the hospital told TheCable that the incident started after persistent electrical fluctuations and the smell of burning wires.
“At first the light kept flickering before power went out completely. After that, there was a strong smell like something electrical was burning, but nobody immediately realised how serious it was,” the witness said.
“Not long after, smoke started spreading through the area and everyone was asked to leave the building immediately. Patients in the emergency ward and those receiving chemotherapy were evacuated and moved to other units for treatment.”
No injury or death was recorded during the incident.
Investigations were ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.
