Two patients die during fire evacuation at Barishal hospital

Two patients died while being evacuated from Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital during a fire incident.

The fire broke out around 12:00 am on Tuesday (March 17) in a room of the hospital’s Medicine Building, reportedly caused by a burning cigarette, according to preliminary information from the Fire Service. The victims were stroke patient Abul Hossain Howlader, 60, and orthopedics patient Kazi Ataur Rahman, 80.

Witnesses said flames suddenly appeared on the third floor of the Medicine Building. Strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly, prompting panic among relatives who rushed to evacuate patients. Amid the chaos, several patients’ health conditions worsened. Two units of the Fire Service brought the blaze under control after about 20 minutes. Initial assessments indicate that the fire may have started from a burning cigarette.

Manikuzzaman, Deputy Director of Barishal Fire Service and Civil Defence, said the fire was quickly controlled. “We suspect the fire originated from a burning cigarette. Some old medical equipment was destroyed, but there was no major structural damage,” he added.

Mamun Ur Islam, Officer-in-Charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, confirmed that the fire began in a room where old medical equipment was stored. He said the two patients died while being moved to a safe location. “The exact cause of death will be confirmed after post-mortem examinations,” he added.

Attempts to reach the hospital director, Brigadier General AKM Moshiul Munir, by phone were unsuccessful.