Eyewitness recounts horror of Jhansi hospital fire

What is the story

A devastating fire at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, killed 10 newborns on Friday evening.

The fire apparently started from a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator around 10:30 p.m.

Eyewitness Bhagwan Das has now claimed that a nurse’s negligence – lighting a match in an oxygen-rich environment – led to the rapid spread of a fire in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Das helped save 3 or 4 children

Das said the nurse was trying to connect the hose of an oxygen cylinder when she lit the match.

Das, who was in the ward since his child was admitted to the hospital, said, “As soon as the match was lit, the entire ward caught fire. »

Following the chaos, Das quickly wrapped three or four children in a cloth around his neck and brought them to safety.

He saved a few more children with the help of others.

Government opens investigation into hospital fire

The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered a multi-level probe into the incident.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak promised that “the cause of the fire would be investigated” and strict action would be taken against those found guilty.

He also promised support to the families affected by this tragedy.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced compensation for the families of the victims.

Each family of the deceased will get ₹5 lakh, while the injured will get ₹50,000 each.

Opposition party criticizes hospital administration

The fire caused chaos in the hospital, sparking a stampede-like situation as people tried to flee.

Expired fire extinguishers were discovered in the room and security alarms did not go off, delaying the evacuation.

It took more than two hours to put out the fire, with visuals showing charred equipment in the NICU ward.

Authorities are now working to identify all the victims, considering DNA testing if necessary.