By Paul Aondoakaa 

A fire outbreak on Monday affected the oncology unit of National Hospital Abuja, leading to the evacuation of patients and medical personnel from the affected section.

The incident, reportedly caused by an electrical fault, was contained before spreading to other parts of the hospital, while no injuries or fatalities were recorded.

Activities at the oncology department of National Hospital Abuja were temporarily disrupted on Monday following a fire outbreak that prompted emergency response measures and patient evacuation.

According to reports, the incident was reportedly triggered by an electrical fault after repeated power fluctuations within the facility.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said they noticed flickering electricity and the smell of burning wires shortly before the outbreak occurred.

“At first the light kept flickering before power went out completely. After that, there was a strong smell like something electrical was burning, but nobody immediately realised how serious it was,” an eyewitness reportedly stated.

Patients receiving treatment at the oncology unit, including individuals undergoing chemotherapy and emergency medical care, were immediately relocated to safer sections within the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Hospital officials and emergency responders reportedly acted swiftly to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining facilities.

Although no casualty was recorded, smoke reportedly lingered around the affected area hours after the fire was extinguished, leading to the temporary suspension of activities within the unit.

Investigations into the exact cause of the incident are ongoing.

The oncology department serves patients requiring specialised cancer treatment and continuous medical support, making uninterrupted operations critical to healthcare delivery.