A fire broke out in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, Odisha, around 3 pm on Tuesday, triggering panic among patients, attendants and hospital staff.
The fire reportedly started inside a room in the anaesthesia section attached to the operation theatre on the second floor of the department. The blaze is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit.
Fire Controlled Promptly
Fire personnel stationed on the hospital premises were alerted soon after the incident and rushed to the affected area. The flames were brought under control promptly, preventing the fire from spreading further.
Fortunately, no patients were present inside the operation theatre when the incident occurred.
MKCG Medical College and Hospital Superintendent Prof Sudeepa Das said there were no casualties or significant property damage. She said the fire was caused by a short circuit and was tackled immediately by the hospital’s fire safety officers.
Although the situation was brought under control quickly, the incident caused panic among people present on the hospital premises.
Expired Fire Extinguisher Raises Safety Concerns
The incident also drew attention to fire-safety arrangements at the hospital.
A fire office is located within the MKCG Medical College and Hospital campus. However, a purported safety lapse was reportedly noticed at the entrance of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department, where a fire extinguisher with an expired validity date was installed.
The cylinder reportedly carried a gas-filling date of August 1, 2025, while its validity had expired on July 31, 2026.
Fire officer Purnachandra Marandi said the situation was brought under control promptly. Officials, however, did not comment on the reported expired fire extinguisher.
No Casualties Reported
The fire was contained before it could escalate into a larger emergency. No deaths or injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
The episode has nevertheless highlighted the importance of maintaining functional and valid fire-safety equipment in critical hospital areas, particularly departments containing operation theatres and other high-risk facilities.
Important Highlights
- Fire broke out in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
- The incident occurred around 3 pm on Tuesday in a room of the anaesthesia section attached to an operation theatre.
- An electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit is suspected to have caused the fire.
- Fire personnel controlled the blaze promptly, and no casualties were reported.
- No patients were present inside the operation theatre when the fire occurred.
- A fire extinguisher installed near the department entrance was reportedly found with an expired validity date.
