DINDIGUL: At least seven people were killed after a massive fire suddenly broke out at a private hospital on Trichy Road in Dindigul on Thursday night.According to officials, the fire broke out at City Hospital, an orthopedic care hospital, at around 9pm on Thursday night. Fire from the reception area on the ground floor spread to other floors and soon engulfed the whole building. As the fire and smoke began to spread, fire department and police personnel immediately reached the spot to try to douse the fire and evacuate patients. Apart from fire tenders, ambulances were also brought to the spot to shift patients. However, seven people, including a child, were found to have died and, as per preliminary reports from officials, they are suspected to have died of suffocation. Suruli, 50, his wife, Subbulakshmi, 45, of Theni district, Mariammal, 50, her son, Mani Murugan, 28, and Rajasekar, 35, of Dindigul district, and a child were among the deceased.At least 29 people, mostly orthopedic patients, were shifted to the nearby government hospitals. Doctors continue to monitor their condition, said Tamil Nadu state health secretary, Supriya Sahu. Speaking to reporters at around 10:30 pm on Thursday night, Dindigul district collector MN Poongodi said that the fire, revenue, and police department responded quickly and maximum rescue and evacuation work is complete and a final survey and checking is being done. “Six people were rescued after they were stuck inside a lift. They have suffered suffocation and are under treatment now. Only after doctors examine and provide treatment, will we know their condition,” she added. Further rescue operations remained underway. Dindigul district superintendent of police A Pradeep said that a police team is investigating the cause of the fire and conducting enquiries. Tamil Nadu rural development minister I Periyasamy visited the injured and patients who were shifted and admitted.
