The investigation committee formed by the Fire Service and Civil Defence has submitted its probe report blaming the negligence of the United Hospital authorities for the deadly fire in the hospital's coronavirus isolation unit.
The fire claimed the lives of five patients on May 27.
Fire Service Director General (DG) Brig Gen Md Sazzad Hussain told Dhaka Tribune on Thursday that he got the probe report and sent it to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further initiative.
He said a defective old air-conditioner (AC) was installed in the makeshift coronavirus unit and the fire broke out due to the electrical fault of that AC.
"If those [hospital staff] who were present there at the moment, shut down the electrical connection after seeing the first spark from the AC, there would be no more spark and the fire incident could be avoided.
"The coronavirus unit did not have a proper fire extinguishing system and fire exits either. The fire extinguishers were also expired," he said.
The fire service DG said the burned coronavirus unit was made temporarily and materials used in its infrastructure were highly combustible.
"Those who were on duty escaped to save their lives. But, if one of them had tried immediately with a fire extinguisher, such a major accident might not have happened," he said.
Sazzad also said the probe committee recommended proper fire safety measures be taken in such temporary establishments.
On May 28, the Fire Service formed a five-member probe body, headed by its Director (operation and maintenance) Lt Col Zillur Rahman, to investigate the incident.
Fire service Deputy Director (Dhaka) Debasis Bardhan, a member of the probe committee, said they took statements of 20 people including doctors, nurses, officials, securities, housekeepers, electrical engineers, AC mechanics of the hospital, and relatives of the deceased.
"An old AC was installed in the isolation unit and it was also repaired on the day of the incident.
"In the investigation report, we have mentioned the cause of the fire, details of the damage and loss of lives. At the same time, we recommended the remedy," he added.
The family of Vernon Anthony Paul, who died in the May 27 fire, lodged a case against the hospital authorities with Gulshan police station on June 3, accusing them of negligence that led to his death.
Ronald Ricky Gomez, son-in-law of late Vernon, said the fire broke out after a spark from the AC.
HC asks for reports
Meanwhile on June 2, the High Court asked the authorities of United Hospital to submit a report before it by June 14 with an explanation of the cause for death of five patients in their coronavirus isolation unit.
The inspector general of police (IGP), Fire Service and Civil Defence, and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) were also asked to submit their reports within the same deadline.
Dr Shagufa Anwar, chief of communication and business development at United Hospital, told Dhaka Tribune on June 6 that their probe committee was working and they would submit the report on time.
Rajuk probe committee member Nur Alam said they formed a four-member probe body, led by Md Shafi Ul Haque, member of its Development Control.
Responding to a question, he said the United Hospital authorities did not take permission from them to install the isolation unit due to the coronavirus pandemic situation.
"We are continuing our investigation and will disclose all after submission of the report," he said.
