Keonjhar: A fire broke out at a vacant old building of Keonjhar district headquarters hospital around 8:30 pm on Tuesday, causing significant property damage and triggering panic among medical staff and patients. The building is located close to the functional hospital building.
The blaze, which originated in the hospital’s old building where wooden furniture and materials were stored, spread rapidly through the structure. Fire services promptly responded to the emergency and were working to contain the flames till filing of this report around 10 pm. “We suspect this is an act of deliberate sabotage by miscreants,” said Dr KC Prusty, chief district medical officer, Keonjhar. “While the old building has been affected, all other buildings and patient wards remain safe,” he added.
Local police have launched an investigation into the incident. Officials will conduct a detailed assessment of property damage after the situation is brought under control.