Fire Breaks Out at Tembisa Hospital Emergency Unit, No Injuries Reported

A fire broke out at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital on Saturday afternoon, prompting a swift response from emergency services and the evacuation of patients. The incident occurred shortly before 5:00 PM and was quickly contained, preventing any injuries or fatalities.

According to officials, the fire was confined to the emergency unit and did not spread to other areas of the hospital. All patients and medical staff were safely relocated to secure sections of the facility as a precaution.

"The fire has been extinguished, and there were no injuries reported. Our teams acted swiftly to ensure the safety of everyone inside the hospital," said hospital spokesperson Phumzile Xhakaza.

In response to the incident, the hospital has been placed on divert status, meaning it will not accept new patients until further notice. Emergency services remain on-site to monitor the situation and assess the full extent of the damage.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and an investigation is underway to identify the source of the blaze.

Tembisa Hospital has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to a series of scandals and operational issues. Saturday’s fire adds further concern about safety standards and institutional oversight at the facility.

Members of the public are advised to seek medical care at alternative health facilities while repairs and clean-up efforts are in progress.