Gauteng health: Tembisa hospital fire is contained

The blaze erupted on Saturday in the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit, prompting the safe evacuation of at least 85 individuals — 79 patients and six staff — to nearby healthcare facilities.

Firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni, alongside Gauteng EMS teams, worked overnight to assess the extent of the damage and to verify that all individuals in the affected areas were accounted for.

“We just really want to confirm and assure the public that the fire was started at the Tembisa Accident and Emergency Unit this afternoon, has been contained,” said Gauteng Health Head of Department, Lesiba Malotana. 

“All patients that were at the accident and emergency at the time of the incident have safely been evacuated,”

Fortunately, no other wards were impacted by the fire, and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Malotana confirmed that the affected section of the hospital is currently not receiving patients and will remain on full divert status until further notice.

“We will not receive any other patients for now, we will keep the patients, and the users of the facility updated of any developments.”

The exact cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said teams have been deployed inside the hospital to monitor patients and ensure no one has been affected by smoke inhalation.

“At this stage, preliminary data is coming through; once it’s processed, we will be able to communicate,” he explained.

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