Kolkata, 09 November (H.S.) : A fire broke out at the boys' hostel of the prestigious Nil Ratan Sircar (NRS) Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on the night of Kali Puja and Diwali, triggering panic on the premises. The hospital administration has alleged that the blaze on Sunday night was caused by medical students bursting firecrackers within the hostel compound. However, the students have vehemently denied these allegations, attributing the incident to a short circuit.

According to hospital sources, the incident occurred at approximately 9 PM on Sunday. Upon receiving information about the fire in the hostel premises, security personnel acted swiftly and brought the flames under control using fire extinguishers available on site, thereby averting a major disaster.

The incident has raised several serious questions regarding safety protocols. Confirming the incident, MSVP Manabendra Sarkar stated that the fire was indeed caused by firecrackers and that the situation was now completely under control. However, when questioned about how permission was granted to burst crackers inside the boys' hostel, he abruptly disconnected the call without offering a response.

On the other hand, the resident students of the hostel claim that the building was being decorated with lights for Diwali, and the fire erupted due to a short circuit during the process. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be officially confirmed.

This incident points to a gross negligence concerning patient safety and adherence to hospital regulations. The hospital premises are designated as a 'silence zone,' where even honking is strictly prohibited to curb noise pollution. The matter is particularly alarming as the site of the accident is located adjacent to the hospital's Chest Medicine department, which treats patients suffering from severe respiratory ailments. The bursting of firecrackers in such close proximity to this ward is a matter of grave concern.

Notably, the state government and the Pollution Control Board had permitted the bursting of only certified 'green' crackers between 8 PM and 10 PM on the night of Kali Puja and Diwali. The directives explicitly stated that no fireworks would be tolerated in 'silence zones' such as schools and hospitals, and strict vigilance would be maintained. Despite these clear instructions, loud firecrackers were reportedly burst well beyond the stipulated time limit on Sunday night, brazenly flouting the established rules.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh