Chennai, 24 April (H.S.) : A fire broke out in the maternity ward of the Thanjavur Government Hospital on Thursday afternoon at 3.30 pm, causing panic among patients and staff. No casualties were reported, but the incident led to the swift evacuation of mothers and newborns from the affected area.

The fire, which started around midday, is suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in the ward’s air conditioning unit. Hospital staff and fire services responded promptly, extinguishing the blaze within an hour. Patients were safely relocated to other wards, and critical care services remained unaffected.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the extent of the damage. Preliminary reports indicate that the hospital’s electrical systems may require urgent upgrades to prevent future incidents. The Tamil Nadu Health Department has assured the public that measures are being taken to ensure patient safety and restore normal operations.

Local residents and patient families expressed relief that no lives were lost but raised concerns about the maintenance of public healthcare facilities. The hospital administration has promised a thorough review of safety protocols.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary