A fire broke out at Bliss Hospital near the Chourangi intersection on the Satkhira-Khulna highway on Tuesday (4 August), leaving several patients reportedly injured and prompting an urgent evacuation operation. The incident has raised concerns over possible casualties, although the exact number of deaths and injuries had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
The fire broke out around midday, after which members of the Satkhira Fire Service rushed to the hospital and began efforts to bring the blaze under control. Four fire service units were deployed to tackle the incident, according to fire service sources.
Although firefighters managed to contain the flames, thick smoke remained inside parts of the hospital, creating additional difficulties for the rescue operation. Fire service personnel continued searching the building and evacuating patients and their relatives to safer locations.
Several people, including women, children and elderly patients, were reportedly injured in the incident. Those rescued from the hospital were being taken to Satkhira Sadar Hospital and Satkhira Medical College Hospital for medical treatment. However, authorities had yet to establish the total number of casualties.
The presence of vulnerable patients inside the hospital made the rescue operation particularly challenging. Patients who may have been unable to leave the building without assistance had to be evacuated carefully as firefighters worked through smoke-filled areas.
The fire also caused major disruption to traffic on the Satkhira-Khulna highway. Vehicular movement around the Chourangi intersection came to a complete halt as emergency services rushed to the scene and ambulances lined up to transport injured people to nearby hospitals. The resulting congestion added to the difficulties faced by emergency responders.
Members of the Satkhira Sadar Police, Border Guard Bangladesh and traffic authorities were deployed to manage the situation and assist with crowd and traffic control. Their presence was also aimed at keeping access routes clear for fire engines and ambulances involved in the emergency response.
Masudur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Satkhira Sadar Police Station, said the fire had been brought under control. However, he noted that a significant amount of smoke remained inside the hospital, while rescue personnel were continuing to evacuate injured and vulnerable people.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Authorities had also not yet assessed the extent of damage to the hospital or determined the financial losses caused by the incident.
As of the time of reporting, rescue operations inside the hospital were still underway. Officials were focusing on ensuring that all patients and others inside the building were safely evacuated before a full assessment of the incident could be carried out.
Further details about the cause of the fire, the extent of the damage and the final number of casualties are expected to emerge after the rescue operation is completed and the authorities conduct a detailed assessment.
