Fire in Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital's medicine unit; 2 patients die during evacuation

A fire broke out in a room at the medicine unit on the fifth floor of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (SBMC) Hospital in Barishal last night (17 March), at around 10:30pm, with two patients reported dead during evacuation.

The deceased were identified as Kazi Ataur Rahman, 80, from the Badrpur area of Patuakhali Sadar upazila, and Abul Hossain, 67, from Barishal Sadar's Barejyer Hatkhola area.

Hospital authorities said the fire originated from a storage area where essential items for patients, including foam mattresses, bedsheets, and pillows, were kept.

The flames spread rapidly, triggering panic across the building as patients, attendants, staff, nurses, and doctors rushed to evacuate.

A daughter-in-law of the deceased Kazi Ataur Rahman said her father-in-law had been admitted on the fourth floor when the fire broke out on the fifth floor. He required constant inhaler and oxygen support.

"He was brought downstairs without oxygen during the fire. Shortly after, he died," she said.

The son of Abul Hossain said his father had been hospitalised for several days.

"I left my mother and sister with him at night and went home. After hearing about the fire, I returned within 30 minutes and found my father dead," he said.

Assistant Director (Finance and Store) of the hospital Dr Abdul Munayem Saad, said, "The fire broke out at a corner of the medicine ward. Only two units of the ward had admitted patients, so they were evacuated to safety immediately."

"Due to a power outage in the building, it was not possible to immediately assess the cause of the fire. Without an investigation, nothing can be confirmed. However, the fire was quickly brought under control due to the prompt response of the fire service, and no casualties occurred," he added.

Deputy Director Dr Nazmul Ahsan said, "There are no admitted patients on the ground or first floors of the building. Around 100 patients were admitted to two units of the medicine ward, and they have been safely relocated to other parts of the old building."

"No casualties occurred. However, several Ansar members and our ward master, Jewel, fell ill while trying to extinguish the fire," he added.

Station Officer of Barishal Fire Service and Civil Defence Abuzar Gifri said the exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed.

"The fire may have originated from a bidi or cigarette, or from a short circuit. Details can be confirmed after an investigation," he said.