One patient died during the evacuation after a fire broke out at Khulna Medical College Hospital early Wednesday (May 20). At least 15 patients from the hospital’s Number 1 ICU were quickly relocated to other facilities following the incident.

The fire originated around 5:30 am in a storeroom adjacent to the old ICU unit on the third floor of the hospital’s four-storey building and spread rapidly. Ten units of the Fire Service worked to bring the blaze under control, which was extinguished after about an hour of effort.

Meanwhile, five people, including two nurses, were injured while trying to escape the fire. The injured include hospital staff Saidur Rahman (50), senior staff nurses Naurin, Dipali, and Sharmin, as well as Fire Service member Towhid.

ICU In-Charge Dr Dilip Kumar said the fire originated from a short circuit in a room adjacent to the old ICU building, where old clothes and some equipment were stored. He added that after the fire spread, several oxygen cylinders and an old air conditioner exploded, damaging part of the wall and causing thick smoke to spread throughout the area.

He said ICU patients were quickly evacuated. One patient had died before the fire broke out, while another died during the evacuation.

Eyewitnesses said the sound of explosions triggered panic among patients and attendants across different wards, who rushed downstairs. The situation became so severe that ICU patients also had to be moved to safer areas immediately. Patients and relatives gathered on the hospital premises, including the front road and open grounds, with many seen crying in fear and panic.

Fire Service Assistant Director Sarkar Masud Ahmed said they received the fire report around 6:00 am and initially, three units from Boyra station reached the scene and began operations. More units joined later, bringing the total to 10 units.

He said the fire broke out in a storeroom on the third floor of the four-storey building. There were initial obstacles as all gates were locked and had to be broken open to enter. Around 4–5 people were rescued via balconies. The fire was brought under control after about 45 minutes and fully extinguished within 55 minutes. Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have originated from an electrical fault or short circuit.