Harare – Police in Zimbabwe are investigating a fire that broke out at one of the flats at Sally Mugabe Central hospital in Harare.
No deaths or injuries were reported and the fire was successfully put out by the city council fire brigade.
However, the blaze extensively damaged the building and no evaluation has been made om the damage.
”The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed a fire incident that occurred at Sally Mugabe Hospital today (Saturday) at around 11:50 hours. Emergency protocols were swiftly activated and all patients in the affected areas were evacuated,” the police in a statement.
”No injuries or fatalities have been reported. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the fire.”
The blaze started in a rooftop storeroom directly above a female ward, the theatre, and the intensive care unit (ICU), triggering panic and a swift emergency response.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume attended the fire scene and said investigations will be carried out.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
Sally Mugabe was named after former president Robert Mugabe’s sister. The hospital is popularly known as Gomo which means a mountain, as it was constructed on a hilltop.
Last month, President Emmerson Mnangagwa toured Sally Mugabe and Parirenyatwa hospitals to assess the deteriorating situation of the two main referral hospitals in Harare.
Mnangagwa pledged that the government will refurbish the two hospitals.