Fire hits Sampaloc hospital

MANILA, Philippines — A hospital in Sampaloc, Manila was gutted by fire yesterday morning

The first alarm was raised at the Hospital of the Infant Jesus at around 4:44 a.m., the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) reported.

The fire started in the administration office on the ground floor of the six-story hospital, according to the BFP.

Fourteen firetrucks – four from the BFP and 10 from volunteer groups – and two ambulances responded to the incident.

Hospital staff evacuated around 10 patients, all admitted at the general wards and in stable condition. Among those evacuated were two COVID-19 patients, both confined in ambulances.

Firefighters put out the blaze at around 7:36 a.m.

A BFP firefighter was reportedly hurt, the BFP said.