23 Jul 2016

Fire destroys hospital in Solomon Islands

8:49 am on 23 July 2016

In Solomon Islands, a fire has completely destroyed the old hospital in Gizo.

Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation's Sina Adrian, who witnessed the building disappear in flames, said the situation was one of despair as the only firefighter in Gizo could do nothing to save the building or any equipment.

He said the building houses the new hospital's pharmacy, kitchen, and administration.

He adds, the fire quickly razed through the building's main structure which will leave the Gizo hospital authority in millions of dollars in losses.

"The fire was still fresh I think for five to six minutes there were explosions coming from burned building I think from gas bottles and other things so it scared the public away from the burning building."

"There's nothing to do with this building but just to see it went up in flames Friday afternoon, he said"

Meanwhile, Gizo police confirmed, a man is in police custody in relation to the fire.