Panic spread through Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) early Wednesday after a fire broke out in a storage room beside the old Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital, triggering explosions, heavy smoke and a frantic evacuation of patients and staff.
The blaze erupted at around 5:30am on the third floor of the hospital’s four-storey building, sending terrified patients and their relatives rushing outside in scenes of chaos and confusion.
Firefighters from 11 units battled the flames for nearly an hour before bringing the situation under control.
Hospital authorities said 15 patients admitted to ICU-1 were swiftly shifted to safer locations following the outbreak. One patient died during the evacuation process, while another had died shortly before the fire started at around 5:00am.
At least five people, including two nurses and a firefighter, were injured while trying to escape or control the blaze. The injured were identified as hospital staff member Saidur Rahman, senior staff nurses Nowrin, Dipali and Sharmin, and firefighter Touhid.
Ward boy Rezaul said the fire was believed to have originated in a storeroom near the ICU where old clothes and equipment had been kept.
“Thick smoke spread through the operation theatre and post-operative ward, making visibility almost impossible. Critically ill patients were evacuated through the back entrance, while ICU patients were also moved quickly,” he said.
Fire Service Assistant Director Sarkar Masud Ahmed said the first three units from Boyra Fire Station arrived shortly after 6:00am before additional units joined the operation.
“In total, 11 units worked to bring the fire under control. Initially, firefighters faced obstacles because all the gates were locked and had to be broken open,” he said.
He added that four to five people were rescued from balconies and that the blaze was brought under control within 45 minutes before being fully extinguished after around 55 minutes.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault or short circuit, officials said.
ICU in-charge Dr Dilip Kumar said several oxygen cylinders and old air-conditioning units exploded after the fire spread, damaging part of a wall and filling the area with dense smoke.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as loud explosions woke patients and attendants across different wards. Many gathered outside the hospital building and on nearby roads in tears and distress.
Ansar Commander ACP Md Ariful Islam said two nurses and a firefighter were injured when iron grills collapsed during rescue efforts. They were later sent to Khulna City Medical College Hospital for treatment.
Residential Medical Officer Dr Hossain Ali said the exact cause of the fire would be confirmed after a formal investigation, though a short circuit or AC explosion was initially suspected.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
