A fire at Manacor Hospital forces the evacuation of several areas and the relocation of patients

ManacorA fire declared around 5:00 PM this Thursday at the rear of Manacor Hospital, set off alarms and the building's safety protocols, forcing the rapid and sudden evacuation of several areas of the center. Initially, it was reported that the fire could have originated in a room with flammable material, although minutes later and after the intervention of the Mallorca Firefighters, it was confirmed that it began after a spark from a worker who was handling a hot water boiler with a radial saw, which appears to have been the cause of the subsequent fire.

The black smoke that emerged at first caused fire brigades from the Manacor and Inca stations to quickly attend the fire, as did several patrols from the Local Police and Civil Protection. In parallel, staff and patients from the rehabilitation, psychiatry, oncology, maternity, and cafeteria areas have been evacuated. Initial information suggests there are no victims, although some workers have had to be attended to to check their condition. The operator who was handling the affected boiler was treated in the Emergency Department and is now well.

25 patients relocated

In total, 25 patients had to be relocated: in the pediatrics unit, seven mothers, four boys, and two small children. These and another three from the oncology area have been transferred to the UCSI area (Day Surgery Unit) where they will spend the night today for safety reasons and due to the bad smell caused by the smoke. Another 9 psychiatry patients were taken to an inner courtyard while the fire was being put out and its possible causes were being investigated. At the moment, they are already back in the unit. In all cases, relatives have already been notified.

Around 5:45 PM the fire was already under control and no smoke was coming from the affected area. Nevertheless, ambulances and fire trucks continued to arrive in case they were needed. The entire rear entrance area of the Hospital has also been cordoned off, where the new operating rooms will begin to be built. Orders have been given not to use the elevators.

Safety protocols have been activated: the contingency plan, which stipulates that ambulances that were supposed to go to Manacor hospital have had to be diverted, and the corresponding emergency plan. The Director General of the Health Service, Javier Ureña, and the Government's Health Minister, Manuela García, have been transferred to the Manacor hospital center.