A fire outbreak on Monday disrupted activities at the oncology unit of the National Hospital Abuja, forcing the emergency evacuation of patients and medical workers from the facility.
The incident was reportedly triggered by an electrical fault but was quickly contained before the flames could spread to other sections of the hospital.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy and those receiving emergency treatment at the oncology department were hurriedly moved to safer areas as panic spread across the unit.
Although no casualties were recorded, smoke reportedly lingered around the building for hours after the incident, leading hospital authorities to temporarily relocate operations from the affected department.
Eyewitnesses said the fire began after repeated power fluctuations, followed by a strong smell of burning electrical wires inside the facility.
One witness explained that electricity in the building had been flickering before power was completely cut off.
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According to the witness, smoke soon spread through the area, prompting an immediate evacuation of patients and staff from the building, including those in the emergency ward and chemotherapy section.
Hospital workers alongside emergency responders were said to have acted swiftly to contain the situation and prevent a major disaster.
The incident has renewed concerns over poor infrastructure and unstable electricity supply in public healthcare institutions across Nigeria, especially in critical units handling vulnerable patients.
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