Fire Erupts at Anandalok Hospital in Kolkata, Disrupting Surgeries and Prompting Evacuation
A major fire incident at Anandalok Hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday morning caused significant disruption, forcing the evacuation of patients from operation theatres and wards in the middle of critical medical procedures. The blaze, which started around 10 am on the second-floor cathlab near Karunamoyee in Salt Lake, triggered panic and an emergency response as thick black smoke rapidly spread through corridors and sections of the building.
Chaotic Evacuation Amidst Flames and Smoke
According to hospital officials, the fire quickly escalated, gutting portions of the cathlab and operation theatre before firefighters managed to bring it under control. Sanjay Gupta, a general surgeon at the hospital, described the scene: "We had just completed the sixth surgery of the day, a gall bladder stone removal, when the fire alarms activated. Exiting the OT on the third floor, we observed smoke billowing from the floor below. Immediate action was taken to evacuate all patients from affected areas." In total, 13 surgeries were scheduled, with procedures halted midway as patients were wheeled out on stretchers and wheelchairs.
Hospital staff, including clerical member Dolly Roy, reported that flames were visible from a second-floor window, and the area became engulfed in smoke within minutes. Staff members broke open glass windows to ventilate the smoke, aiding in the evacuation efforts. Sanjukta Jhajharia, secretary of Anandalok Hospital, emphasized the preparedness: "Our fire-fighting system was operational, and we conducted regular drills. With approximately 50 in-house patients and 70 in the outdoor unit, security personnel efficiently moved everyone to an annexe building behind the hospital."
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
Three fire tenders rushed to the scene, battling dense smoke as hospital staff independently evacuated patients before their arrival. Authorities confirmed that all floors were thoroughly checked to ensure no one remained trapped. Preliminary findings from the fire department suggest an electrical short circuit in the air-conditioning system of the cathlab or operation theatre may have ignited the blaze. An official noted that the fire was confined to a single room, and no injuries were reported among patients or staff.
Following the incident, the main hospital building was temporarily shut down. It will remain closed pending forensic investigations and clearance from police and fire departments. Several patients and relatives were seen sitting outside the hospital, visibly shaken by the sudden evacuation. Cops confirmed the complete evacuation of the premises, highlighting the swift and coordinated response despite the chaos.
