Another Fire Hits Tembisa Hospital: Gauteng Health Scrambles to Contain Crisis

For the second time in less than a week, a fire has disrupted services at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. Flames erupted early Wednesday morning near the main outpatient department, dangerously close to the already burnt-out emergency unit. Firefighters from the City of Ekurhuleni moved quickly to douse the flames and prevent further damage.

Despite rainy and icy weather conditions, Gauteng’s emergency teams worked around the clock to extinguish the fire and secure the affected zone. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) confirmed that firefighters arrived on the scene around 7 a.m., responding to yet another alarming incident at the hospital.

ALSO READ: No Casualties Reported After Fire at Tembisa Hospital Emergency Unit

Emergency Teams Respond Fast To Tembisa Hospital

Firefighters wasted no time once they received the alert. They quickly moved into the building, secured the area, and worked to contain the fire before it could spread. Health officials on the ground also acted quickly by evacuating vulnerable areas and redirecting patient flow to safer locations.

Although no injuries occurred during this latest incident, the hospital has stopped accepting new patients and remains on divert status. Officials continue to monitor the site for flare-ups while forensic investigators begin searching for the source of the fire.

Tembisa Hospital: Another Blow to an Already Struggling Facility

This latest fire came just four days after a devastating blaze destroyed the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit. That fire forced the evacuation of 81 patients and significantly disrupted services. The incident tested Gauteng’s already stretched public healthcare system.

Hospital staff managed the emergency efficiently:

• 17 patients were referred to other hospitals
• 2 patients went to Intensive Care
• 1 patient moved to High Care
• 50 patients were shifted to the antenatal unit
• 4 were discharged, while 7 left voluntarily

Fortunately, all 26 staff members on duty remained unharmed.

Until Wednesday, the hospital had continued offering outpatient visits and chronic medication collections. The latest fire, however, has shut down those services as well. The fire damaged a crucial part of the outpatient area, cutting off access to care for thousands of residents in Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas.

Gauteng Health Investigates Cause of Fire At Tembisa Hospital

The Gauteng Health Department confirmed that multiple institutions have launched investigations. Officials have cordoned off the affected areas while forensic teams inspect the site.

Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko visited the hospital after Saturday’s fire and pledged transparency throughout the process. She acknowledged that no one currently knows the exact cause of either fire but confirmed that legal and procedural investigations are in motion.

“We will restore the damaged unit. We will continue caring for our patients, and we will keep the public informed,” she said.

Gauteng Residents Demand Answers

Residents across Gauteng are expressing frustration and concern over the repeated fires. Many have taken to social media to demand better infrastructure and emergency planning. As one of the province’s busiest public hospitals, Tembisa plays a vital role in delivering healthcare services to thousands.

Community members also raised questions about whether neglected maintenance or faulty wiring might be behind the incidents. The provincial government has yet to confirm any specific causes but has committed to releasing information as soon as investigators conclude their reports.

What Happens Next?

With large sections of Tembisa Hospital shut down, the Department of Health has urged patients to seek help from nearby clinics and hospitals, including:

• Tembisa West Clinic
• Edenvale Hospital
• Pholosong Hospital

Emergency services remain on-site to manage any further threats. Meanwhile, health officials are working to stabilize operations and explore temporary solutions to support affected patients.

Tembisa Hospital, already overwhelmed by demand, now faces a major challenge in regaining stability. Gauteng’s health officials must act fast—not only to uncover the causes of these fires but also to restore faith in the province’s healthcare infrastructure.

The department urges the public to stay away from the hospital while emergency operations continue. As authorities investigate, residents across Gauteng wait for answers, support, and a clear recovery plan.

This story continues to unfold. Stay tuned for further updates.