Fire Breaks Out in Baby Memorial Hospital C-Block, Kozhikode; Zero Casualties
Fire erupts in Baby Memorial Hospital; all evacuated safely.
A terrifying fire erupted in the new C-Block of Baby Memorial Hospital in central Kozhikode on Saturday morning, sending thick plumes of smoke across the bustling city and sparking widespread alarm among patients and bystanders. The blaze, which originated at 9:45 am in the air-conditioning system on the ninth floor, rapidly filled corridors with dense smoke, threatening hundreds of lives in one of Kerala’s busiest multi-speciality medical facilities.
Fortunately, the affected section was under maintenance and contained no patients, providing critical time for hospital staff to execute a flawless emergency response. Within minutes, authorities initiated a systematic evacuation, safely relocating post-operative patients, elderly individuals, and those on nearby floors, including the eighth level, to secure zones within the complex. Hospital officials commended the coordinated effort, emphasising that every patient, attendant, and staff member was moved without injury despite the chaotic scene unfolding near the crowded moffusil bus stand.
Eyewitnesses described the sudden onset of panic as alarms blared and smoke poured from upper floors. Abdul Hameed, who was accompanying his elderly mother for treatment, recalled noticing the smoke and immediately alerting staff, whose prompt action prevented a potential catastrophe. The swift evacuation underscored the hospital’s robust disaster preparedness protocols, ensuring that even vulnerable patients recovering from surgery were transferred calmly and efficiently to alternative wards.
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Fire and Rescue Services mobilised five units immediately upon receiving the alert, arriving within minutes to combat the flames at height. Through determined efforts involving specialised equipment, firefighters contained the blaze to the ninth floor and fully extinguished it by 10:30 am. Extended operations continued to ventilate lingering smoke, allowing gradual resumption of services. Authorities confirmed zero casualties and no injuries, marking the incident as a near-miss averted through professional coordination between hospital teams and emergency responders.
Preliminary investigations point to a short circuit in the AC system as the likely trigger, though a detailed probe has been launched to assess the full extent of damage and review safety compliance. While normal operations remain temporarily disrupted, hospital management has expressed profound relief at the safe outcome and gratitude towards staff and firefighters. The incident serves as a stark reminder of fire risks in high-rise medical facilities, reinforcing the vital importance of rigorous maintenance and rapid emergency response in safeguarding lives.
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