Ahmedabad: On Nov 16 last year, Iscon Platinum in the Bopal area of the city witnessed a major fire believed to have been caused by a short-circuit or a stray firecracker.
The incident claimed one life and sent 20-odd residents to various hospitals. More than 250 residents were evacuated as multiple floors were covered in flames and smoke. Out of the total patients admitted, five at Zydus Hospital were recently declared healed after nearly two months, even as they might need some more follow-ups, said treating doctors.
“The patients included two adults and three children or teens. When they were brought to the hospital, they could not breathe. They were trapped on higher floors where they were exposed to thick black smoke for more than 30 minutes. A bronchoscopy revealed burn injuries in the windpipe due to inhalation of hot air and smoke,” said a treating doctor.
Experts said that the chances of death due to smoke inhalation are higher than superficial burn injuries in a fire incident. Out of five patients, four required ventilator support and intensive treatment.
Two had severe and two had moderate burn injuries in the airway and lungs. One of the patients also developed sepsis, due to which the ventilation period was higher, added doctors. On average, all patients were on ventilatory support for five to seven days.
Dr Manoj Singh, pulmonologist and critical care specialist, said that the case was important in the perspective of the nature of injuries and the age of patients.
“All underwent respiratory therapy and chest physiotherapy along with deep breathing exercises. Early diagnosis and treatment is important,” he said.