More than 80 patients have been evacuated and transferred to other health care facilities after a fire broke out from the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Mondli Mvambi, the spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health, said that the blaze started outside the paediatric ward at about 3.20 pm.
Mvambi said the fire subsequently extended to nearby trees and spread to both the first and second floors of the hospital.
This led to smoke spreading throughout the hospital. The Hospital Disaster Plan was swiftly activated, he said.
Mangaung Metro Fire and Rescue Services, along with several EMS services responded to the fire, assisting patients and ensuring the safe evacuation of patients.
