A fire broke out in a malfunctioning elevator shaft of the new building at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) on Monday (September 14) around 5:45 PM, sparking panic among patients and their attendants.

According to hospital and fire service sources, an elevator in the 8-story new building had been out of order for a long time, leading to an accumulation of garbage and debris in the pit. The fire originated from this trapped waste. Thick black smoke instantly billowed through various floors of the building, creating widespread terror. Upon receiving the alarm, three units from the Mymensingh Sadar Fire Station and one unit from the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Fire Station rushed to the scene and brought the blaze under control after nearly an hour of effort.

As news of the fire and smoke spread, hundreds of hospitalized patients and their relatives rushed down the stairs in a panic. Many were seen carrying vulnerable or critically ill family members in their arms to safety. The intensity of the smoke temporarily hampered rescue operations.

Hospital Store Officer Dr. Jhantu Sarkar stated that the fire originated from accumulated trash in the broken elevator and confirmed that no major damage or casualties occurred. Kotwali Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Shibirul Islam noted that prompt action by the fire service and hospital authorities brought the situation under control, and medical services have since returned to normal.