Two elderly patients die, three staff injured as fire erupts in Barishal hospital

Panic spreads across hospital floors as fire breaks out in medicine storeroom

A fire has erupted late in the night at the medicine building of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital in Barishal, killing two elderly patients and injuring three hospital staff, according to officials.

The fire broke out around 11pm Tuesday on the fifth floor in a storeroom containing bed foam, sheets, and pillows, according to Fire Service Station Officer Abu Gifari.

Firefighters brought the fire under control within 10 minutes and fully extinguished it after 40 minutes.

The victims were identified as Kazi Ataur Rahman, 80, and Abul Hossain Howlader, 65.

The injured staff members were Ansar personnel Mohammad Rajib, Nazmul, and Hasibul -- the last two identified by single names.

Witnesses described a state of panic throughout the building as patients, staff, and visitors rushed to evacuate.

Initial attempts to douse the fire with extinguishers failed until firefighters arrived.

Momin Kazi, grandson of Ataur, said his grandfather, who relied on oxygen, collapsed and died after being moved downstairs without supplemental oxygen.

He accused a private ambulance driver present on site of refusing to provide oxygen and demanded justice.

Abul’s son said he arrived within 30 minutes of the fire to find his father dead.

Hospital officials confirmed the fire ignited in a corner of the medicine ward.

Only two units in the ward were occupied, and patients were safely relocated to an older building.

Electricity was cut across the facility, delaying immediate assessment of the cause.

Assistant Director (Finance & Administration) Dr Abul Munayem said the fire was quickly contained, preventing wider casualties.

Deputy Director Dr Nazmul Ahsan confirmed that lower floors had no admitted patients, and about 100 patients were safely moved.