The main building of Sultanah Aminah Hospital was evacuated at 1.35pm today following a short circuit in the operating theatre, Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said.

He said three nurses are receiving treatment for smoke inhalation.

Six patients died and more than 10, mostly personnel, were injured in a fire at the intensive care unit yesterday.

"There was smoke caused by an electric socket which got wet in the cleaning process.

"As a precautionary measure, 38 patients were evacuated from four wards from level three and four of the West Wing.

"The situation is safe and no flame was spotted," he said on Facebook.

Police said the hospital's main building will be closed for 24 hours for checks, Bernama reported.

Video uploaded online showed patients in wheelchairs or in hospital beds wheeled out of the building.

Health Minister S Subramaniam today said the ministry will conduct a fire safety audit of all public hospitals, starting with old hospitals.

Yesterday he had also stated that the Fire and Rescue Department said it was safe for the hospital to resume operation.

The Sultanah Aminah Hospital opened its doors in 1942.

An investigation of the cause of yesterday's fire by the Fire and Rescue Department is underway.