Fire at Calcutta Medical College, 250 Patients Evacuated

Kolkata: A fire broke out at the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital here on Wednesday morning, which was brought under control after five hours even as authorities evacuated around 250 patients and claimed there were no casualties. Panic gripped patients and their relatives alike as chaos prevailed due to the blaze that broke out at a medical store at the state-run hospital. Some of the critically ill had to be carried out by hospital staff as enough number of stretchers were not available. Authorities said 250 patients were evacuated.

West Bengal Minister Sovan Chatterjee said all patients in the Calcutta Medical College affected building were shifted to other wards as the fire, though controlled, continued to burn. “The blaze broke out on the ground floor of the hospital building around 7.58 a.m. Ten fire tenders were pressed into service. The situation is now under control,” said Jag Mohan, Director General, West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services. “The fire started at a place where gas cylinders, gauzes and bandages are stored. We have identified the source of fire and are working accordingly. We are using extractors to remove smoke from the building. The firefighters are in control of the situation,” Mohan said. “Medicine stocks costing Rs 5 crore were destroyed,” said the incharge of the pharmacy housed in the damaged building. Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Chandrima Bhattacharya assured that the stocks of lifesaving medicines destroyed in the fire will be replaced. (IANS)