Johor hospital riddled with over a dozen fire hazards
(FMT) – Report says hospital experienced over seven fires in various units in the past four years, which “should have” sounded the alarm to step up security measures.
Tuesday’s fire at Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) in Johor was not the first – there have been more than seven fires in the past four years.
The Star quoted a source saying that the previous incidents occurred at the intensive care unit (ICU), on the ground floor, and a mart, but did not cause any death or injuries.
“All this should have sounded the alarm bell for the hospital authorities to carry out a detailed check, as this is a very old building,” said the source.
According to another source, there were several minor fires at the ICU area of the hospital in recent weeks before Tuesday’s tragic blaze that took the lives of the patients warded there. The previous incidents were believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, electrical overloading, and even cigarette butts, said the source.
The report added that hospital authorities had been informed about the presence of more than a dozen fire hazards in the building, including the lack of a proper sprinkler system, escape paths that were too narrow, and emergency exits that were blocked.
