Patients who turned up at the fire-hit ESI Hospital in Sealdah on Saturday had to leave without treatment as the authorities decided to keep the outpatient department (OPD) shut to facilitate sample collection by a visiting team of forensic experts.

All surgeries scheduled for the day were cancelled and pathological tests in the hospital had to be put on hold as the forensic team, accompanied by police officers, visited different parts of the hospital to collect samples.

The exercise continued till late in the evening.

“The hospital’s OPD had to be kept shut for the day because of the visit by forensic experts. The entire hospital building was out of bounds for patients (who wanted OPD consultation) and visitors for the forensic examination. The labs and operating theatres, too, were kept shut," said Aditi Das, the hospital’s medical superintendent.

“We hope the OPD and the pathological labs will resume their normal functions next week after forensic experts give their clearance."

A fire broke out on the first-floor balcony of the Sealdah hospital around 5.30am on Friday.

While 90 patients were evacuated, a 54-year-old cancer patient died, possibly because of smoke that had engulfed the hospital building.

Uttam Bardhan, the victim, was a resident of Gaighata in North 24-Parganas. He had been admitted to the hospital on September 1. The ward where he was kept was above the balcony where the fire broke out.

A post-mortem was conducted on Saturday after the police registered a case of unnatural death based on a complaint lodged by Bardhan's family.

“The post-mortem has been done and we are awaiting the report,” said Gaurav Lal, deputy commissioner of police, eastern suburban division.

Of the 90 patients who were rescued, 48 were shifted to the ESI Hospital in Maniktala. A few opted for early discharge. Over 20 patients were admitted to the high-dependency unit of the Sealdah hospital.

“All of them are doing fine. Our doctors visited them during the day and their health parameters are being constantly monitored,” medical superintendent Das said.

Late on Friday, Das lodged a police complaint alleging negligence against the agency that was entrusted with installing a fire-fighting system at the hospital.

The complaint said the agency started work in January 2023 and the project was to be over in six months, police sources said.

“A case of negligence resulting in endangering safety of the patients and others at the hospital was drawn up based on the complaint that was lodged,” said a senior police officer.

“We will collect necessary documents from the hospital over the next few days.”