10 newborns die in Jhansi hospital blaze; expired fire extinguishers found amidst safety failures

Jhansi hospital fire

A devastating fire at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi on Friday night claimed the lives of 10 newborns, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Preliminary investigations have revealed that expired fire extinguishers and malfunctioning safety alarms contributed to the tragedy, delaying evacuation and exacerbating the damage.

The fire, which broke out around 10:30 p.m., is believed to have been caused by a short circuit. However, eyewitnesses and reports suggest other potential factors. One account claims that a nurse may have accidentally started the fire while attempting to fix an oxygen cylinder with a matchstick. Regardless of the exact cause, the tragedy resulted in a stampede-like situation as hospital staff and families scrambled to evacuate the ward.

The flames ravaged the ward, and more than two hours passed before the fire was brought under control. Disturbing visuals from the scene showed that much of the equipment in the NICU was completely charred. Officials confirmed that the infants were being treated in the ward at the time of the blaze.

In a shocking revelation, a preliminary investigation found that the fire extinguishers at the hospital had expired. The cylinders on site had been last filled in 2019, and their expiration date was marked as 2020. Additionally, the hospital’s fire alarms failed to activate when the fire broke out, further delaying the response.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a high-level probe into the incident and has instructed officials to submit a report by Saturday evening. He expressed deep concern over the loss of life and promised swift action against those responsible. “This is a tragic incident, and we will ensure that accountability is fixed at all levels,” the Chief Minister said.

In response to the tragedy, Adityanath announced compensation of Rs.5 lakh for the families of each of the deceased infants. He also directed a payment of Rs.50,000 each to those injured in the blaze.

The incident has sparked political outrage, with the Samajwadi Party blaming the local administration for negligence. A spokesperson for the opposition party said the short circuit that ignited the fire should have been addressed earlier in the day, accusing hospital authorities of overlooking safety measures.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, confirmed that a short circuit inside an oxygen concentrator was the likely cause of the fire. However, he added that the investigation was ongoing, and all angles, including the reported involvement of a nurse’s actions, would be thoroughly examined.

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