Fire damages maternity hospital in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A fire broke out late Tuesday evening in a building of the largest maternity hospital in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The fire started at Lal Ded hospital in Srinagar, the summer capital of region, at around 8:40 p.m. (local time) and was brought under control by 10:30 p.m.

Witnesses said the fire started mysteriously from out-patient department (OPD) section with flames leaping upwards and smoke billowing out from the building.However, there were no reports of people being trapped inside the building or injured in the blaze.

"All patients as well as attendants are safe and no one was injured in the blaze," said Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad, medical superintendent of Lal Ded hospital. "We are trying to ascertain the cause of fire."

More than a dozen fire tenders and two sky lifts from the region's Fire and Emergency Services department were rushed to the spot to douse flames.

Firefighters holding water cannons were seen spraying water on flames to prevent fire from spreading to other parts of building housing operation theater and wards, where patients are admitted.

Witnesses said the firefighters immediately scaled the roof of the building and made holes in the corrugated tin roof to insert nozzles of water cannons through them.

The cause of fire was not known immediately.

Lal Ded hospital is the only maternity hospital of the region and usually remains overburdened due to heavy rush of patients. More than 500 patients, usually accompanied by attendants of doubled number, always remain present inside the hospital.