A second fire broke out at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital in Ekurhuleni on Wednesday, just days after a weekend blaze devastated the facility’s emergency unit.
Emergency teams quickly responded to the new fire, which ignited in the hospital’s main outpatient department—an area close to the site of Saturday night’s incident. Officials confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause.
The earlier fire had already prompted major recovery efforts, with authorities identifying an alternative space within the hospital to temporarily host emergency services. All 81 patients were evacuated without injuries during the initial fire.
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Although the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit remains closed, essential services—such as maternal and child care, mental health support, and treatment for chronic illnesses—are continuing in other parts of the hospital. Ambulance arrivals are being diverted, but walk-in patients are still being accommodated.
Health officials assured the public that a business continuity plan is in place and that the newly designated emergency space will be operational soon, equipped with lighting and oxygen points. The damaged unit had recently undergone renovations to meet health and safety standards.
More information about the second blaze is expected once the investigation is complete.