Ambulance Cylinder Explosion Sparks Fire at Bagerhat District Hospital

A gas cylinder explosion inside an ambulance triggered a fire at the 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, leaving the vehicle’s driver injured and nine nearby motorcycles damaged by the blaze.

The incident occurred at around 12:30pm on 11 August in front of the hospital’s old building. The sudden explosion caused the ambulance to catch fire, with flames quickly spreading to motorcycles parked on either side of the vehicle.

Witnesses said the ambulance was stationed near the old hospital building when its gas cylinder suddenly exploded. The force of the blast was followed almost immediately by a fire, creating panic among people in the hospital compound.

The ambulance driver, 55-year-old Faridul Islam, reportedly jumped into a pond in front of the hospital in an attempt to escape the flames. He was injured in the incident and was subsequently attended to following the emergency.

As the fire intensified, flames spread to nine motorcycles parked close to the ambulance. Thick smoke rapidly engulfed the area and entered the hospital building, causing further alarm among patients, their relatives and other people inside the premises.

The incident raised immediate concerns because the fire broke out within a functioning hospital compound, where many patients may have limited mobility and require assistance during an emergency. The presence of parked vehicles close to the ambulance also allowed the fire to spread beyond the original source.

Fire service personnel were alerted after the blaze broke out and arrived at the hospital shortly afterwards. They worked for about half an hour to bring the fire under control, preventing the flames from spreading further within the hospital premises.

Dr Asim Kumar Samaddar, superintendent of the 250-bed Bagerhat District Hospital, confirmed that the fire began after the gas cylinder of an ambulance parked in front of the old building exploded.

He said the fire spread within moments of the explosion and that smoke entered the hospital building, creating panic among patients and their relatives. Fire service personnel responded quickly and managed to control the blaze in roughly 30 minutes.

The incident caused damage to the ambulance and nine motorcycles, while the ambulance driver was injured. The immediate cause of the cylinder explosion was not specified by hospital authorities in their initial account.

The episode also highlights the potential risks associated with parking vehicles equipped with gas cylinders close to busy healthcare facilities. Hospitals require clear access routes and effective emergency arrangements because even a relatively contained fire can pose serious risks when smoke and flames reach areas occupied by patients.

Authorities are expected to assess the circumstances surrounding the explosion and the extent of the damage following the incident.