A fire broke out at the prestigious Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area on Wednesday morning, causing significant alarm among patients and medical staff. However, due to the swift and efficient response of the fire service personnel, the blaze was brought under control within just 18 minutes, preventing what could have been a catastrophic event. According to fire service officials, the quick intervention ensured that no major casualties or structural damage occurred during the emergency.
The incident originated on the fourth floor of the hospital’s ‘A’ Block. The Fire Service and Civil Defence were alerted to the emergency at 11:14 am on Wednesday (26 November). Upon receiving the call, seven firefighting units were immediately dispatched to the scene. Inspector Anwarul Islam from the Fire Service’s media cell confirmed that the first responders reached the medical university within a remarkable six minutes. By 11:32 am, the teams had successfully contained the flames, later ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished through cooling operations.
Eyewitnesses reported a scene of sudden panic as smoke began to billow from the fourth-floor windows. Patients, many of whom were undergoing treatment in nearby wards, and their relatives scrambled to evacuate the building. Hospital staff and security personnel acted quickly to guide individuals towards emergency exits, ensuring an orderly evacuation in the affected section. While the exact cause of the fire is still under official investigation, initial reports from the site suggest that it might have been triggered by an electrical short circuit or a faulty air-conditioning unit within one of the rooms.
Given the density of patients and the critical nature of the services provided at BSMMU, the fire service’s rapid action was highly praised by those present. The Shahbagh area experienced temporary traffic disruptions as fire engines and emergency vehicles rushed to the hospital. Hospital authorities have stated that a thorough safety audit will be conducted to inspect the electrical systems and fire-fighting equipment across all blocks of the university to prevent future occurrences. A formal inquiry committee has also been established to determine the root cause of the blaze and to provide recommendations for enhancing hospital safety protocols.
GLIVE/TSN