Photo: BSS

KHULNA, June 12, 2026 (BSS) - A devastating fire that swept through Khulna City Medical College Hospital (KCMCH) on Thursday night injured seven firefighters and forced the emergency evacuation of more than 250 patients.

Hospital officials and Fire Service personnel said the exact cause of the fire has yet to be determined, and no investigation committee had been formed as of Friday noon. Police have, however, recorded a general diary (GD) over the incident.

The fire broke out at around 9:30 pm in the private hospital located in Khulna city. Firefighters brought the flames under control shortly before midnight, though rescue and evacuation operations continued until dawn.

A visit to the hospital this morning revealed crowds of onlookers gathered outside the charred building. Hospital authorities were distributing treatment documents and personal belongings left behind by patients from a nearby building.

Hospital Manager (Administration) Hamidul Islam said the fire originated in the basement, where an oxygen plant was installed, while the generator room was located on the floor above.

He said two oxygen plants, two generators, medicines, furniture and important documents were destroyed in the fire. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

More than 250 patients, including several receiving intensive care support, were safely evacuated and transferred to nearby healthcare facilities, including Nargis Memorial Hospital, Gazi Medical College Hospital, Islami Bank Hospital and Khulna Medical College Hospital.

"No patients, doctors or staff members were injured in the incident," Hamidul Islam said, adding that hospital authorities had received no reports of any patient deaths following their transfer.

Officials from police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other agencies inspected the scene.

Senior Station Officer of Tutpara Fire Station Md Zakir Hossain said a short circuit in the generator room was the likely cause of the fire, while smoke spread rapidly throughout the building through connected pipelines.

He said seven firefighters were injured during the operation. Two sustained cuts to their hands, while the others suffered breathing difficulties after inhaling heavy smoke.

Deputy Director of Khulna Fire Service Masud Rana said the first firefighting unit reached the hospital within five minutes of receiving the emergency call at 9:35 pm.

Initially, 11 firefighting units were dispatched to the scene, with three additional units later joining the operation. A total of 14 units worked to contain the blaze and succeeded in bringing it under control at 11:55 pm.

Masud Rana said a formal probe committee would be formed after directives are received from Fire Service headquarters in Dhaka, likely within the next few days.

Sonadanga Police Station Sub-Inspector Nadim Mahmud said no formal complaint had yet been lodged by the hospital authorities, though police had documented the incident through a general diary.