A massive fire broke out at the Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal on Wednesday. The blaze reportedly started at a pharmacy situated within the medical college premises. A total of 10 fire tenders rushed to the spot and evacuated around 250 patients, as per reports. As per initial reports, the fire started due to a short circuit, however, there has been no confirmation of it yet.
"All the patients were moved from the area safely. There is thick smoke in the area, the situation will be soon brought under control," said Kolkata Mayor and Fire Minister Sovan Chatterjee.
#Visuals: Fire breaks out in the pharmacy department of Kolkata Medical College and Hospital. 10 fire engines and Kolkata police rushed to the spot. All the patients are safe. #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/IX7ENRRpUu
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018
The West Bengal disaster management authorities have rushed to the spot and are taking care of the situation.
The shocking incident comes a day after an explosion at Dum Dum’s Nagerbazar area took the life of a seven-year-old child while injuring nine people.
#Visuals from outside Kolkata Medical College and Hospital, a fire broke out in the hospital's department of pharmacy, in the morning, today. Fire firefighting operation is underway. pic.twitter.com/NOJX5bmqyc
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018
The Calcutta Medical College, which is also one of the oldest hospitals in West Bengal, is located over a huge area and has several buildings in the premises. Several patients were rushed out of the building in stretchers after the blaze broke out.
#Visuals: Firefighting operation underway at Kolkata Medical College and Hospital #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/hfU2Ggp0r2
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2018
In 2011, 92 people were killed after a massive fire broke out at the AMRI hospital in Kolkata.