A FIRE AT THE RAND HOSPITAL

Senator Fred Mitchell with Senator Michael Darville at the scene of the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport 20 July

Senator Fred Mitchell with Jackie Rolle and Vernie Roker at the scene of Rand Memorial Hospital fire 21 July

Patients had to be evacuated from the Rand Hospital when a fire started in the kitchen on Friday 21 July and got out of control.  It was soon extinguished but not before the 66 patients had to be moved.  No one was hurt.  Four from intensive care went to the East Sunrise Medical Centre a smaller private hospital.  The others went to the Christ The King Anglican Church Hall across the street from the Hospital.  The place was filled with smoke and so a job has to be done to flush that out of the system.  Questions abound as to how it got out of control.  The photo of the fire looks like it started from the stove and should have been extinguished by an automatic system over the stove.  If that failed, then there was a lever that is to be pulled right next to the stove.  It appears that it was either not done or it failed.  In either case, it appears there was negligence at work.   Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest staged a meeting with the staff and he was later joined by the Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and the Minister of Health Duane Sands.   Opposition Senators Michael Darville and Fred Mitchell were also on the scene.   It is s real blessing that Dr. Darville had the foresight when he was a Minister, much criticized at the time to give Christ the King Hall, a generator and air conditioning.  That came in handy.  But it shows how short-sighted the FNM can be.