A fire broke out at the ESI Hospital in Sealdah, Kolkata, on Friday morning, prompting officials to evacuate patients from one of the buildings. One of the patients, who was critical, died but hospital authorities are yet to confirm whether it was due to the fire.

Officials said 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and controlled the blaze at the ESI Hospital in Sealdah. Vital documents and prescriptions were destroyed in the fire, they added.

According to sources, the fire started in the male surgical ward on the first floor of one of the hospital buildings. As the fire and thick smoke caused panic among patients, doctors and nurses guided them out of the ward.

“The fire incident took place at around 5 am and spread to the ward. We immediately informed the police and fire services department. Fire service officials and our doctors and nurses helped evacuate patients,” said Aditi Das, Superintendent, ESI Hospital, Sealdah.

“However one of the patients, Uttam Bardhan who was a cancer patient, passed away. We are yet to confirm whether it was due to the smoke or because of his critical condition,” added Das.

“Some patients who could not move were shifted to emergency, and others to different wards. Since power has been cut off from a part of the hospital, we have decided to shift 50 patients to ESI Hospital Manicktala,” said Das, who along with other doctors was seen tending to patients outside the hospital in open ground.

Nitai Mondol, one of the patients in the male surgical ward, said he was sleeping and he woke up amid a thick smoke. “The electric wires were on fire. We all panicked. With the help of the nurses, I got out of the hospital. All my prescriptions and medical documents are burnt. I don’t know what will I do,” said Mondol.

Another doctor said a short circuit could have been the cause of the fire which spread to the air conditioning system. “However, fire services department officials will confirm after investigation,” said the doctor.