Hospital fires: what causes them and how to stop them

Hospital fires are especially dangerous because patients often can’t move on their own and life-support equipment can make fires spread fast. You don’t need a horror story to care about this — a simple short circuit or oxygen leak is enough. Here I cover the main causes, quick actions during a fire, and practical steps hospitals and caregivers can use right away.

Common causes and easy fixes

Many hospital fires come from predictable sources. Electrical faults from overloaded sockets or old wiring are common. Kitchen fires start from unattended stoves. Oxygen and other medical gases make small sparks turn into big fires. Even cluttered corridors and locked exits slow evacuation.

Fixes are straightforward: keep electrical panels serviced, avoid extension cords for permanent use, install automatic gas shutoffs where oxygen is stored, and enforce a strict no-clutter rule in corridors. Regular cleaning removes flammable trash, and clear signage keeps escape routes visible.

What staff and visitors should do if a fire starts

First, raise the alarm. In India call the local fire service number (usually 101) and tell them the exact location inside the hospital. Activate the building alarm and follow your hospital’s evacuation plan. Don’t use elevators. Close doors behind you to slow the spread. If someone is trapped and you can’t move them, stay with them and keep doors closed until rescuers arrive.

Prioritize patients who can walk, then those who need stretchers, then ventilated or critical patients. Use evacuation aids: sliding sheets, evacuation chairs, and blanket drags for beds if trained. Turn off oxygen supply to areas where safe to do so, but don’t remove oxygen from a ventilated patient unless you can replace it with a safe alternative immediately.

Fire extinguishers help when the fire is small and staff are trained. Know the types: water/foam for solids and CO2 for electrical fires. If smoke is heavy, stay low and cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.

Hospital management must run regular drills that include night shifts and real-life scenarios: power failure, blocked exits, oxygen leaks. Drills expose weak spots in staff response and building layout.

Simple policies cut risk a lot: scheduled electrical audits, secure storage for flammable supplies, automatic alarms and sprinklers in critical zones, clear signage, and staff training every six months. Accreditation standards like NABH expect these; following them protects people and reduces legal risk.

Finally, make a short checklist and keep it visible: functional alarms, tested sprinklers, accessible extinguishers, clear routes, trained staff, and an updated evacuation map. Small, routine actions save lives. If you work in or visit a hospital, ask where the nearest exits and fire extinguishers are — that one question could matter.