Mymensingh Medical College Hospital fire brought under control

A fire that broke out at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) on Monday evening, has been brought under control after about an hour and a half.

The fire started around 6pm in the hospital’s new building and was brought under control around 7:30pm, according to the Fire Service. Firefighters were still working to clear the smoke. No casualties had been reported so far.

According to preliminary information from the hospital authorities, the fire originated in the lift control room after an electrical connection overheated and caused a short circuit. The flames subsequently spread to different parts of the building, triggering panic among patients, doctors, nurses and relatives in various wards.

Several patients, doctors and nurses were reportedly trapped inside the building during the fire. As smoke and flames caused panic among the patients, relatives also rushed around in an attempt to help move them to safety.

After receiving the alert, a unit from the Fire Service station at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) reached the scene and began efforts to extinguish the fire.

Personnel from the Mymensingh Sadar Fire Station later joined the operation. After nearly 90 minutes of efforts, the fire was brought under control at around 7:30pm.

Mymensingh Sadar Fire Service Station Officer Julhaz Uddin said they received information about the fire around 6pm. A unit from the BAU Fire Station reached the hospital first and began firefighting operations, followed by personnel from the Sadar Fire Station.

Although the fire has been brought under control, smoke remains inside the building, he said. The exact cause of the fire will be investigated after the smoke has been fully cleared, he added.

Dr Mohammad Main Uddin Khan, assistant director (administration) of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said the fire was initially believed to have originated from the lift control machine.

After the fire was brought under control, hospital authorities instructed patients’ relatives to return to the wards. No casualties had been confirmed in connection with the incident so far.