Photo: BSS

KHULNA, May 21, 2026 (BSS) - A five-member committee has been formed to investigate the fire incident at Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH).

The committee was formed by the district administration on Wednesday night following instructions from higher authorities.

KMCH Director Sheikh Ainul Haque was made chief of the committee while Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Nurul Bhai Mohammad Anas was appointed member secretary.

Other members are acting deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence Md Masud Sardar, Executive Engineer of the Electromechanical (EM) Division of the Public Works Department Abdul Halim and a representative of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL).

Md Masud Sardar said preliminary findings suggested the fire originated from an electrical short circuit.

Several beds in the post-operative ward adjacent to the operation theatre and some discarded materials stored in a third-floor storeroom were damaged in the fire. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 24 hours.

Two nurses and one fire service member were injured during the evacuation and rescue operation. The injured fire service member was sent to Dhaka for advanced treatment.

Several patients reportedly died after relatives removed their oxygen support in panic during evacuation.

The fire broke out around 6am on Wednesday on the third floor of the four-storey hospital building. Ten firefighting units brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour.