Ludhiana cancer hospital up in flames; all patients, staff safe

Ludhiana: A private cancer hospital was engulfed in fire in Punjab's Ludhiana district on Monday, prompting evacuation of over 130 patients, including children, to safety. All patients and staff are safe, authorities said.

The fire broke out in the Mohan Dai Cancer Hospital in Sherpur area near this industrial city.

Over 130 patients, including children were evacuated to safety as portions of the hospital were affected by the fire. Three patients on life support equipment were moved to another private hospital for treatment, said hospital officials.

Officials said the fire started from a laboratory in the hospital early Monday.

Efforts by the hospital staff to control it with fire extinguishers failed. The blaze was finally brought under control by fire brigade personnel later.

Ludhiana is about 110 km from Chandigarh.