Fire Erupts at Sealdah ESI Hospital, 1 Patient Dead and 80 Relocated

A fire broke out at the Sealdah ESI Hospital in Kolkata early Friday morning, leading to an urgent evacuation of patients from one of the buildings. One patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) died as a result of the incident. Fire officials reported that the blaze started around 5 a.m. on the ground floor, attributed to a short circuit, and then the flames quickly spread to the upper floors. Ten fire tenders were deployed to the hospital, effectively containing the fire, although vital documents and prescriptions were destroyed in the process.

District Fire Officer TK Dutta described the situation as "a very major fire," emphasizing the successful rescue of nearly 80 patients trapped inside. “We rescued all the patients who were trapped inside. However, one patient who was admitted to the ICU died, but there has been no other casualty,” he said. The cause of the patient's death—whether due to smoke inhalation or his pre-existing critical state—is still under investigation.

Aditi Das, Superintendent of ESI Hospital said, "The fire incident took place at around 5 a.m. and spread to the ward. We immediately informed the police and fire services department." She confirmed that hospital staff assisted in evacuating patients, adding, "Some patients who could not move were shifted to emergency, and others to different wards." Due to a power outage in part of the hospital, Das explained, "We have decided to shift 50 patients to ESI Hospital Manicktala," noting that doctors were seen attending to patients in an open area outside the hospital following the evacuation.

Around 80 patients were safely relocated to other facilities following the fire. Among those transferred, two critically ill patients were moved to the Manicktala ESI Hospital for urgent care.