Mshiyeni hospital fire leaves patient dead
A patient has died in a fire at Umlazi's Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital.
Health officials say the blaze broke out in an isolation ward during visiting hours on Tuesday night.
"It is alleged that the patient ignited a cigarette lighter while in close proximity to an oxygen mask that he was wearing, which is connected to the oxygen main line that led to a fire which was contained in his single bed cubicle," said department's Nathi Oliphant.
He said another patient alerted nurses to the fire.
"The ward was filled with smoke and the staff quickly retrieved fire extinguishers, water, sprinklers also kicked in and augmented in extinguishing the fire. Despite the swift response, the patient who is alleged to have caused the fire sustained severe burns and tragically succumbed to his injuries."
Oliphant said the 39-year-old patient was admitted on Friday. No one else was hurt but some patients were moved to other medical wards as a precaution.
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