Guam Memorial Hospital reports electrical fire, failed HVAC in pediatrics ward after power fluctuation

VIDEO: An electrical fire on the third floor of Guam Memorial Hospital didnโ€™t result in injuries on Tuesday but a separate incident with a failed air handling unit saw patients removed from the pediatrics ward and visitation suspended, according to hospital management. Both incidents happened separately, after a large power fluctuation, according to GMH acting spokesperson Melissa Quinata-Ronquillo. In the pediatrics ward, the burnt out air handling unit was caused by an unstable power supply, she said. On the third floor, there were โ€œsparks and smoke,โ€ the spokesperson said.

GMHโ€™s third floor houses the medical-surgery unit, hemodialysis, respiratory, and telemetry wards, according to a hospital floor plan. A hospital employee quickly put the fire out using a fire extinguisher, and the facility was switched to generator power for about an hour while teams from the Guam Power Authority and Guam Fire Department responded, according to Quinata-Ronquillo. GFD spokesperson Lt. Nick Garrido, speaking outside the main entrance to the hospital Tuesday afternoon, said GFD found no flames or smoke on site when responding but, โ€œwe did get a scent.โ€ He said GFD responded to the reported fire at around 1:35 p.m. Fire engine companies out of Dededo and Tamuning responded to the call. Multiple GFD units were on the scene at GMH as of 3 p.m.

Pacific Daily News

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