Cuttack: The fire that broke out at Sun Hospital in the Silver City of Cuttack yesterday was caused by electrical short circuit, revealed the preliminary inquiry report of the fire services department.
The fire services department conducted a preliminary investigation into the mishap to find out the exact reason behind the blaze that destroyed an entire floor of the multi-specialty hospital in the heart of the Cuttack city.
Speaking to the media, the Deputy Fire Officer of Central Circle, TK Babu said, "Our initial investigation revealed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the hospital."
"However, we will have to make a detailed probe before we could tell the exact reason behind it and what measures and evacuation procedures the hospital authorities followed after the blaze broke out." he added.
As per Babu, the fire completely gutted the fifth floor of the hospital that houses their administrative section.
It is pertinent to mention here that, the hospital was running without a valid fire safety certificate.
Speaking about the laxity in fire safety measures, Maheswar Swain, the Director, Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy (OFDRA) had said on Monday that the Fire Department had not granted any fire safety license to Sun Hospital.
"We have directed the hospital management to submit a compliance report on fire safety and we will be able to shed more light on the alleged negligence only after receiving their compliance report," said Babu on the grave allegations of flouting fire safety norms against the hospital.
Built almost 20 years back in the heart of the silver city, the hospital building is situated right in front of the office of Chief Fire Officer. However, the fact that it had been operating without fire licence or fire safety certificate has come to fore after yesterday's mishap.
(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)