AROUND 180 patients were evacuated after a fire broke out inside the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) compound in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.
The blaze reached the first alarm at 3:08 p.m. and second alarm at 3:11 p.m.
The fire was declared under control at 3:45 p.m. and finally put out at 4:30 p.m., Manila Fire Marshal Senior Supt. Christine Cula said in a status report.
University of the Philippines-PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said 180 patients were evacuated, including 165 from four wards, six from the Central Adult and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (Cenicu) and 10 from the Medical Intensive Care Unit.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire which reportedly originated from the audio-visual room (AVR) at the back of Ward 1, del Rosario said.
Patients in Wards 3 and 4 on the second floor were likewise evacuated, del Rosario said. (PNA)
