By Sarah Mlozoa

Fire has destroyed part of Balaka District Hospital on Friday morning, officials say.

Public Relations Officer for the hospital Mercy Nyirenda told YFM that the fire started from the kitchen before spreading to the laundry and data office.

“Basically the fire started from the kitchen so it’s a one block which include the laundry so the building has been affected heavily,” she said.

“Most of the equipment which was inside the building has been affected especially the kitchen where we had the cooking equipment, the fridge, and in the laundry we had the laundry machine and other equipment.”

Nyirenda said all patients which were admitted at the hospital have been transferred to nearby Ntcheu and Machinga district hospitals.

“Currently we have no electricity at the hospital s most of the patients who were on oxygen and others have been moved to Ntcheu and Machinga district hospitals,” she said.

Nyirenda said an investigation is underway to establish the cause of the fire.

“In due course we will give out the report,” she said.