A massive fire broke out at the Sealdah ESI Hospital in Kolkata around 5 AM on Friday. At least 10 fire engines rushed to douse the blaze. The fire is now under control. A cancer patient's family admitted to the hospital has claimed that the patient died due to suffocation from the smoke.
However, firefighters at the scene said that the patient was suffering from cancer and it was not possible to provide any other means of support during the evacuation of patients, which may have resulted in the casualty.
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said the fire was caused by a short circuit.
The fire broke out in the male surgery ward on the second floor of the hospital. The area was covered with thick black smoke as the fire spread quickly. About 80 patients were evacuated. A few patients were shifted to Maniktala ESI Hospital.
DFO, TK Dutta said, "It was a very serious fire. Nearly 80 patients were trapped inside, but we successfully rescued them all. One patient who was admitted to the ICU has died, but there is no other casualty..."
Bengal Fire Minister Sujit Bose rushed to the hospital after receiving information about the blaze. He spoke to the doctors, health workers, and patients there and took stock of the situation. Parts of the building have now been closed. Electricity to the building was shut due to the fire and many patients were seen waiting outside the building.