Bangladesh, Sept. 15 -- A fire at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital has prompted conflicting reports over deaths after patients and their relatives rushed down the stairs in panic, with two families claiming their family members died after falling during the scramble.

The hospital authorities and administration initially rejected reports of six deaths, while police later reported two fatalities. A five-member committee has now been formed to investigate the incident.

The fire broke out at about 5:45pm on Monday in a lift control room on the seventh floor of the hospital's new building. Smoke quickly spread through the building, alarming patients, relatives, doctors and staff.

As people began rushing downstairs, a stampede developed ...