Suspicious fire in Royal Darwin Hospital children’s ward under investigation
SICK children were forced to evacuate Royal Darwin Hospital after a suspicious fire started in the paediatric ward, causing surgery delays and patient relocations
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SICK children were forced to evacuate Royal Darwin Hospital after a suspicious fire started in the paediatric ward, causing surgery delays and patient relocations.
A Top End Health Services spokesman said authorities were investigating the cause of a blaze that broke out in a bathroom in RDH’s paediatric ward in the early hours of Monday morning.
While no one was harmed by the fire, young patients sleeping in their hospital beds had to be quickly evacuated after the sprinkler system went off.
The mother of a patient, who did not wish to be named, said she believed the fire may have been lit deliberately.
“This caused major chaos within the children’s ward,” she said.
“Nurses and staff had to evacuate the entire ward of sick children down to the outside muster point.
“These poor children, along with their carers, were made to wait for up to two hours before being shuffled among other wards.”
She said the incident also meant that her child’s morning surgery was delayed for two hours.
A Top End Health Services spokesman said patients were then taken to another ward and managed clinically for patient safety and comfort.
“While the patients’ night was disturbed, everybody was safe and well,” he said.
“Most patients were accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“Others patients’ next of kin were contacted and informed.
“All staff involved are highly commended for their professional and timely response.”
It will cost the hospital $7500 to refurbish the fire-damaged bathroom and the room is expected to reopen in the middle of next week.
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