Panic and chaos prevailed at the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Research Centre here on Friday afternoon when a fire broke out in the third floor of the hospital's new building. While evacuating over 80 patients in the building, a 12-year-old boy in critical condition died.
According to hospital Administrative Officer Prashant Mishra, the fire broke out at around 5 pm in the storeroom located in the third floor, which also houses the operation theatre (OT). At least four fire tenders were pressed into operation, which brought the inferno under control in 30 minutes.
Reaching the spot, district Collector NC Mishra supervised the evacuation of patients and continuation of their treatment at a makeshift ward. He ordered an administrative probe to ascertain the cause of the mishap. Fire brigade personnel, however, pointed out an electric short-circuit could be the reason behind the fire. The fire caused extensive damages to the building, which was inaugu-rated only six months ago.