JOHOR BARU: Lim Kia Lok, 47, a patient in the neuro ward located on the fifth floor of the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) main building, said he first noticed smoke from his window between 8am and 9am today.
“The smoke became thicker and I began to panic.
“I didn't hear any explosions or screams coming from the ICU on the second floor but later I heard that a body was wheeled out.
"By that time we could figure any of it out, we were already evacuated from the neuro ward," said Lim.
Rohanah Seliman, 42, who was accompanying her husband warded at a fifth floor ward, said she noticed the smoke at about 8.30am.
"At first I was wondering how could they burn rubbish in a hospital?
"It was only Later that I realised there was a fire in the ICU (second floor)," Rohanah said.
Rohanah was taking care of her husband known only as Jaini when the incident occurred.
Habibah Abd Ghani, 37, who accompanied her father at the men's ward on the fourth floor last night, said patients and visitors were evacuated soon after smoke filled the ward.
Habibah was among dozens of visitors and patients evacuated at the compound at the polyclinic located 20m from the main building. They were later taken to another building.
Six patients from the ICU died in the fire that broke out at the hospital this morning.