Patients being shifted out of the casualty of the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode after smoke engulfed the building on Friday evening.
| Photo Credit: K. Ragesh

Around 200 patients were evacuated from the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode on Friday evening after smoke engulfed the Casualty building. Fire and Rescue Service personnel rushed to the spot and managed to douse the fire, which caused the smoke, in the UPS room.

The initial assessment of the fire services is that a short circuit might have caused the fire. Health Minister Veena George has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

The fire started around 8 p.m. after an explosion in the UPS room.

Patients in serious condition were shifted to nearby hospitals.

Hospital Superintendent M.P. Sreejayan said the situation was under control.