Lucknow: Panic gripped attendants and hospital staff at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in the early hours of Friday after smoke spread through the paediatric surgery ward, forcing the evacuation of around 50 children, including patients on ventilator and oxygen support. No injuries or casualties were reported.According to officials, staff noticed smoke inside the surgery block near Gandhi Ward around 11.50pm. The source was traced to an electrical switchboard in the basement of the general surgery department. Hospital authorities, the fire safety team and police were informed.The fire was contained by KGMU’s fire safety team using fire extinguishers before it could spread. However, smoke travelled to the paediatric surgery ward on the first floor, triggering emergency measures.As smoke filled parts of the ward, nurses, ward attendants and paramedical staff began shifting children to safer areas. Anxious attendants gathered outside the building as the evacuation continued.KGMU spokesperson Prof K K Singh, who was present at the spot, said a child on ventilator support and two patients on high-flow oxygen were shifted along with life-support equipment.Hospital staff switched on exhaust fans and opened doors and windows to clear the smoke, while firefighters assisted in ventilation and safety checks.Attendants said the evacuation was carried out swiftly. “We were confused about what was happening, but the nurses picked up the children and started shifting them outside within minutes. They remained with them throughout the incident,” said Suresh Kumar, father of a child admitted to the ward.Another attendant, Nisha Singh, said doctors and paramedical staff remained calm and kept assuring families that the children were safe.Chief Fire Officer Ankush Mittal later reached the hospital and supervised the operation. After the smoke cleared and the building was declared safe, patients were shifted back to their wards around 1am.Officials said the cause of the incident is being investigated.In a separate incident on Friday afternoon, a short circuit was reported in the procedure room of the paediatric orthopaedics department. Officials said no procedure was underway at the time. Power supply to the room was disconnected as a precaution and restored after repairs, a senior faculty member said..
