HC seeks reports from different authorities over United Hospital fire

The High Court on Tuesday ordered United Hospital authorities to explain the reason behind the death of five people, who were charred in a fire at the hospital, reports UNB.

The hospital authorities will have to file a written statement within 14 June.

Separately, the court also asked the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Fire Service and Civil Defence and RAJUK (Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha) authorities to submit reports in this regard.

The bench of justice M Enayetur Rahim issued the order during an online hearing on a writ petition filed 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 the court asked the authorities concerned of United Hospital, RAJUK, fire service and the IGP to submit reports of the fire incident at the isolation unit of the hospital that claimed lives of five people.

Five people were killed as a fire, originating allegedly from an explosion of air conditioner, broke out at the isolation unit of United Hospital on 27 May and spread soon due to gusty wind.

Three firefighting units extinguished the blaze and recovered five bodies from there.

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 30 May, two Supreme Court lawyers -- Niaz Mahmud and Shahida Parvin Shila -- filed a petition with the High Court.