Operations at the medicine department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital (SBMCH) in Barisal are expected to resume within three days after a fire broke out in the department's storeroom.
Dr Shyamal Krishna Mondal, divisional health director, confirmed that the medicine department would need three days to repair the damage and resume operations.
The fire, suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, led to water damage from firefighting efforts, further delaying the reopening of the wards.
Over 500 patients, including 70 dengue patients, were being treated in the department at the time of the fire, and it will take time to restore the damaged rooms and return patients to the wards.
The fire, which started around 9am, generated thick smoke that posed significant challenges to firefighters, many of whom experienced breathing difficulties during the operation.
A smoke ejector machine was used to clear the smoke.
After nearly three hours, the firefighters managed to control both the fire and the smoke.
Mizanur Rahman, divisional deputy director of the fire service, said: “While the flames were not immediately visible due to the presence of materials like cotton, gauze, and foam, the excessive smoke caused an oxygen shortage for the firefighters. This led to some of them becoming unwell, though they later recovered and continued their efforts. By 11:30am, both the fire and the smoke were brought under control.”
He said an investigation is necessary to determine how and where the fire started.
“Initially, it is suspected that the fire might have originated from an electrical short circuit. Due to the presence of combustible materials, no one noticed the fire until it escalated and enveloped the entire building in smoke,” the fire official added.
At least 543 patients, including 70 dengue patients, were admitted to ten units across five wards in the medicine department.
Additionally, patients’ relatives, nurses, doctors, and staff were also present there.
