SHIMLA:  The fire that could have led to major catastrophe has destroyed the attic housing Canteen at the top floor of the IGMC's  New OPD Block and Trauma Centre today morning hours. The two LPG Gas cylinders are reported to have exploded  in the Canteen,  adding fuel to fire, revealed sources.

Though there was no loss of human life as the Fire brigade controlled the spread of fire  to the other floor and surrounding hospital building that could have led to major catastrophe at the IGMC.

The patients who who had come to the new OPDs in morning were evacuated. The OPDs were shifted to old OPD building for three days till the IGMC authorities normalise the situation at the IGMC.  

The IGMC authorities have yet to assess the loss, but preliminary estimate says that it runs in 60 to 70 lakh as the entire attic floor was reduced to the ruins. 

Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Health, Sanjay Awasthi  accompanied by Shimla MLA Harish Janartha reached the spot immediately after the incident, took stock of fire and sought strict action against the cafeteria operator for negligence.

In this regard, he also instructed the Medical Superintendent to send the report to the government after completing the investigation within the prescribed time period.
He said that the incident of arson took place in the cafeteria operating on the top floor of the new OPD building of IGMC Shimla at around 8.30 am today due to leakage of gas cylinder.

He said that as the gas cylinder caught fire, a few minutes later, there was a sound of explosion, which caused the entire cafeteria to be set ablaze.

He said  as soon as the hospital administration received the information in this regard, they immediately contacted the fire department and evacuated the new OPD building safely after reaching the spot and evacuating the patients who had come for checkup.

He said that the Fire Department personnel immediately reached IGMC and controlled the fire and succeeded in preventing a major accident in the new OPD building.

He said that the fire department's work in preventing the incident of arson was commendable. Acting promptly, they brought the fire under control. But the police have yet to ascertain the exact cause.

They were accompanied by IGMC principal Dr Sita Thakur, MS Dr Rahul Rao and others and made alternative arrangements for the OPD patients took up confidence building measures.  

Fire brigade and police team have recovered the 2 LPG domestic Gas cylinders from the site which has revealed how blatantly the canteen was being run at the health institution jeopardizing the life of the thousands of inmates of IGMC including its equipment and labs and other infrastructure.   

The Doctors were running a small canteen for themselves  besides the main cafeteria meant for the public visiting the IGMC.  

The smoldering fire has  created panic among the patients admitted in old and new hospital buildings of the IGMC complex, who ran for safety. .  

The Fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire as soon as the fire brigade was alerted.

The fire broke out at around 8.40 AM Today.

The new OPD block and Trauma centre were inaugurated by the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu last month.

There are eyewitnesses who said the fire broke out in the Canteen  and two LPG  Gas Cylinders exploded  adding fuel to fire.

Leader of opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur and BJP Chief Dr Rajiv Bindal visited the IGMC and urged the government to put in place proper fire safety system at IGMC as fire incident at IGMC is a serious concern.