A fire broke out on Monday morning at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in Ermita, Manila.
According to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the blaze began in a second-floor room of the Central Block building, affecting the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD) and audio-visual room.
The first alarm was raised at 6:07 a.m., followed by the second at 6:21 a.m. Finally, the fire was declared under control at 6:47 a.m. and extinguished by 7:08 a.m.
Approximately 300 patients were temporarily evacuated and then allowed to return to the OPD at 7:23 a.m.
The Department of Health (DOH) has since said it is prepared to handle patient transfers from UP-PGH, advising ambulances to coordinate for potential diversions to other hospitals.
Firefighters reported the fire extended to the back of Ward 3. Some patients were moved to other wards within the PGH complex, while OPD patients were asked to stay on Padre Faura Street to avoid smoke inhalation.
