Kerala: Structural, electrical flaws in Kozhikode Medical College fire incidents, reveals probe

Kozhikode (Kerala) [India], July 11 (ANI): A recent investigation into the fire incidents at the Kozhikode Government Medical College has revealed serious structural and electrical flaws, according to a report submitted by the PWD Electrical Inspectorate.
The inspection identified 177 construction-related defects, including major lapses in the installation and maintenance of UPS systems, batteries, switches, and electrical panels. The report also highlighted that the fire damper, designed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, was non-functional.
According to the report, the UPS and battery systems were installed in cramped rooms with poor air circulation, and no cooling system was in place to regulate equipment temperature. A fan coil unit was placed directly above the UPS, posing a risk of water leakage and a short circuit.
The building in question, part of the PMSSY block, houses the emergency and surgical super-speciality departments of the Medical College Hospital and witnessed two fire incidents on May 2 and May 5 this year.
Notably, these flaws had already been flagged during inspections in 2023 and 2024 by the PWD Electrical Department, which had formally requested corrections. However, after the recent fires, officials found that none of the recommended rectifications had been implemented.
A fresh report was filed after the incidents. It is also alleged that no restoration or corrective work has been initiated, even two months after the fire incidents, leaving the critical medical infrastructure non-operational.
Congress MP from Kozhikode MK Raghavan has written to the Prime Minister, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the repeated fire incidents and urging that the building's safety and electrical systems be audited and certified before any further use.
On May 5, Kerala Health Minister Veena George had said that a technical Inspection and a comprehensive audit have been ordered at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode following a smoke detection incident.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said, "Following the incident, on Saturday, an inspection was ordered on all floors. They went there and reviewed. The inspection was done to see if there was a problem connecting the machines, including the sixth floor. A short circuit occurred when the light was turned on in the theatre on the sixth floor."
She further said, "A technical inspection will be conducted as part of this. A comprehensive fire audit has been ordered. The Collector will lead the committee,".
On May 2, shortly after the incident, Minister George had also directed the Director of the Medical Education Department to relocate the patients to a safe location. She had also assured that emergency medical services would be provided at the Beach Hospital for any patient in need of them.
"Smoke spread in the UPS room in the new block of Kozhikode Medical College tonight. All the patients in the emergency department were immediately shifted to safe places for treatment. The patients on the upper floors were also evacuated from the building. Instructions were given to check and ensure that no one was in the building," the Kerala minister had told reporters. (ANI)