Minor Fire Erupts at Kolkata Hospital, All Patients Evacuated Safely
Fire Incident at Anandalok Hospital
Photo: @ians_india/X
Kolkata, April 21: A small fire broke out at a private hospital located in the Salt Lake area of Kolkata on Tuesday. Fortunately, all patients were evacuated without any reported injuries or fatalities, according to officials.
The incident was triggered by a short circuit in the air-conditioning system of one of the operation theatres at Anandalok Hospital. Emergency protocols were activated, leading to the swift relocation of all patients to a different building within the hospital premises.
Authorities confirmed that no patients were left behind in the affected area, and the fire was successfully contained.
The blaze originated outside the operation theatres, causing alarm among nearby pedestrians who noticed the flames and smoke and promptly alerted the fire department.
Within minutes, three fire engines arrived at the scene. By that time, a section of the operation theatre on the second floor was already engulfed in flames.
Local residents joined forces with the fire brigade to combat the flames, assisting in the evacuation of patients and oxygen cylinders.
Hospital staff reported that approximately 70 to 75 patients were safely moved to another building and are currently unharmed.
One hospital employee stated, "We have successfully rescued all patients from the second and third floors of the building." Another confirmed that around 70-75 individuals were evacuated.
By around 11 a.m., the fire was largely under control, although firefighters remained on-site to ensure it was completely extinguished.
The local administration has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
As of now, there has been no official comment from the hospital management regarding the incident, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed.