A fire broke out at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). The fire started around 6pm Monday in the children’s ward on the third floor of the hospital’s new building. Panic over the fire triggered a rush among patients and their relatives, injuring several people who fell in the chaos.
Mymensingh Sadar Fire Service station officer Julhas Uddin confirmed the incident.
He said news of the sudden fire in the children’s ward on the new building’s third floor came in around 6pm. A unit from Bangladesh Agricultural University’s (BAU) fire station reached the scene after being informed and quickly brought the fire under control. However, thick smoke had built up inside the building by then.
Julhas Uddin said panic spread among patients and relatives after the fire broke out. Chaos ensued as people rushed to get downstairs, and several were injured after falling. However, no information about major damage from the fire has emerged so far.
Mymensingh Medical College Hospital assistant director (administration) Dr Mohammad Main Uddin Khan said the fire is believed to have originated from the hospital lift’s machinery, based on initial assessment.
The situation is now completely normal, and the hospital’s medical services remain operational, he said, adding that an investigation committee would be formed to determine the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage.