Massive fire at Kolkata Medical College; 250 patients evacuated, 10 engines rushed to spot

A massive fire broke out at Calcutta Medical College at 8 am on Wednesday. The fire was detected in the pharmacy located within the hospital compound. 

Around 250 patients have been evacuated from the building. Family members and hospital staff were seen bringing out patients wrapped in bed-sheets as enough stretchers were not available.

Officials say that the pharmacy had stock for one month. Due to blaze, 80% medicines and oxygen cylinders have been rendered unusable for treatment. 

Ten fire engines have rushed to the spot. Firefighters have brough gas cutters. They are trying to cut the grill to enter the pharmacy.

Though no fire can be seen right now, but the pharmacy is engulfed in thick plume of smoke. 

Last month, a massive fire had broken out at Bagree market in Canning street, in central Kolkata. 

As many as 30 fire tenders had failed to arrest the Bagree Market fire after 17 hours after it broke out. Director General of Police (fire services) Jagmohan said that 24 to 48 hours would be needed to douse the fire.

"There were chemicals and other inflammable products stored in the building which had fuelled the fire. We will take 24 to 48 hours to bring the fire completely under control," Jagmohan said. He said that there had been no casualties but the extent of the damage and cause of fire were yet to be ascertained.

The building has over 400 shops comprising about 200 medicine shops, and the rest are cosmetics, jewellery and toy shops.

Ahead of Durga Puja shopowners had stacked merchandise worth crores within the building.