Fire breaks out in Kolkata's Apollo hospital, no casualties

According to reports, the fire was first seen at around 9 am at the Operation Theatre no. 9 on the first floor of the privately-rum hospital's building.

As many as four fire tenders rushed to the spot along with local police and Disaster Management Group (DMG) personnel.

Firemen fought for nearly half an hour to douse the blaze and clear the black smoke.

"After being informed about the fire at around 9:15 am, our engines rushed to Apollo Gleneagles hospital and we brought the fire under control very soon," a senior official of state fire and emergency services told IBNS.

"They have 14 operation theatres on the first floor and the fire started at OT no. 9. After primary probe, we are suspecting that a sophisticated light inside the OT was the source of fire."

West Bengal fire minister and Kolkata Mayor Shovan Chatterjee visited the scene later.

"No casualty was reported due to the fire. One of our firefighters fell sick after inhaling smoke inside the OT," Chatterjee said.

Fire minister also said that action will be taken against the hospital authority if any negligence from their side is proved.

"I've directed DG Fire to file a report on the incident asap. Our forensic experts team will arrive shortly and after proper investigation, the exact reason behind the blaze will be confirmed," Shovan Chatterjee said.

Meanwhile, CEO of Apollo Gleneagles hospital, Rana Dasgupta, claimed that the fire was a minor on and they doused it before the arrival of the fire brigade.

"A small fire broke out in an operation theatre and using our ultramodern fire-extinguishing equipments, our staffers doused the blaze. We called the fire brigade as per protocol," Dasgupta told IBNS. "None was hurt in the incident- neither any patient nor our staff."

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)