Unknown number of patient files destroyed in Tembisa Hospital fire - Ekurhuleni EMS

JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni emergency services said an unknown number of patient files were destroyed in Wednesday morning’s fire at Tembisa Hospital, further compounding the health facility’s operational challenges.

Wednesday’s blaze broke out in the outpatient unit, mirroring Saturday night’s fire that gutted the emergency department.

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Firefighters have since extinguished the latest blaze and are now dampening the files in an attempt to salvage what they can.

It’s been a frantic morning outside Tembisa Hospital as crews battle the aftermath of the fire.

The smell of smoke still lingers in the air as firefighters work through the rubble — this time, inside the outpatient unit, which caught fire just after 5 am.

Hospital staff and emergency workers have been seen moving bundles of waterlogged files in a last-ditch effort to salvage patient records.

Wednesday’s incident has forced authorities to shut down large sections of the facility. Only critical operations are being maintained, and many patients are being redirected to neighbouring hospitals.

Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson Eric Maloka said: "For now, we cannot confirm. They are still busy with what we call the dampening down. So, once it’s done, then we can release a statement [about the files]."

A full briefing from health officials is expected later Wednesday on the extent of the damage and whether arson can be ruled out.