Fire at PMCH leaves HIV lab in ruins, causes damage over Rs 1.5 crore

Patna: A fire broke out in the microbiology department at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Monday afternoon, gutting the HIV viral load office and causing damage estimated at over Rs 1.5 crore.

The blaze erupted around 2pm while an examination was underway. Students and staff were evacuated immediately. Five fire tenders were pressed into service and the fire was brought under control.

PMCH superintendent Rajeev Kumar Singh said the HIV viral load office was completely destroyed. “Freezers, AC units, documents and costly chemicals were gutted. The loss is estimated at over Rs 1.5 crore. The swift response of the fire department helped avert a major tragedy. A detailed assessment is underway. Initial reports suggest a short circuit as the cause of fire. The incident will disrupt HIV testing as samples from other districts are analysed here,” Singh said.

District fire commandant Ritesh Pandey said the control room received the alert at 2.10pm. “One fire tender is stationed on the campus round the clock and six more were rushed. Fire safety arrangements on campus are inadequate. It is a sensitive case and will be investigated,” he said.

This is the second fire reported in the same department since April, when equipment, machines and documents were damaged. Another fire had earlier broken out in the old building of PMCH’s obstetrics and gynaecology department during shifting of materials.