5 killed in Fire: HC Seeks Explanation from United Hospital

The High Court ordered the United Hospital authorities on Tuesday to explain the reason for the death of five people who died in the hospital explosion.

The hospital authorities will have to submit a written statement by 14 June.

The court also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Fire Service and the Civil Defence and Rajuk authorities to submit reports in this regard.

Justice M Enayetur Rahim issued an order during an online hearing on a writ petition submitted by two Supreme Court lawyers.

Barrister Muntasir Uddin Ahmed and Advocate Niaz Mahmud stood for the petitioner while Additional Attorney General Murad Reza represented the state.

Barrister Muntasir said that the HC asked the United Hospital, Rajuk, Fire Service and Civil Defence authorities concerned and the IGP to submit reports of a fire incident to the hospital isolation unit that claimed the lives of five people.

Five people were killed when a fire that resulted from the explosion of Air Conditioner, broke out at the United Hospital Isolation Unit on May 27 and spread rapidly due to gusty wind.

Three firefighting units rushed in and extinguished the blaze. Five bodies were also recovered from the unit.

Fire Service and Civil Defence headquarters has formed a five-member committee to investigate the death of five patients. A case was filed the following day.

On May 30, two Supreme Court Lawyers – Niaz Mahmud and Shahida Parvin Shila – filed a petition with the High Court.

Source: UNB