Kozhikode: A major fire broke out at the Baby Memorial Hospital on Saturday morning. The blaze, which started on the ninth floor, was contained before it could spread to other parts of the building. No casualties were reported, the hospital authorities confirmed.

The fire erupted around 9.30 am in the air-conditioning plant on the ninth floor, where installation work was underway. Smoke did not affect the lower floors. No patients were present on the affected floor, authorities said.

Kozhikode MP MK Raghavan rushed to the scene and monitored the rescue operations. He confirmed that no one was injured in the fire.

Patients and staff on the eighth floor were safely evacuated, officials said. Six units of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services brought the fire under control by 10.30 am. Following this, staff and patients were allowed to re-enter the hospital.

The office of Health Minister Veena George said she spoke with the hospital authorities. "Directions have been given to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital to keep ICU and ventilator facilities ready if any patients are required to be moved," a statement said.