A tragic fire incident at a private hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district has claimed at least five lives and left 20 others injured. The blaze erupted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Prasad Hospital in the early hours of Thursday, reportedly due to a short circuit.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out around 2:30 am when most patients and staff were present in the ICU. Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames and thick smoke emanating from the unit. Firefighters rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames after nearly two hours of effort. The injured have been shifted to other medical facilities for treatment.
Casualties and Response
According to local authorities, five patients succumbed to injuries sustained in the fire, while 20 others suffered burns and smoke inhalation. The condition of some injured is stated to be critical. District officials have ordered a probe into the incident and announced compensation for the victims' families.
Bihar Chief Minister expressed grief over the loss of lives and directed the health department to ensure best possible medical care for the injured. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured.
Safety Concerns Raised
The incident has once again raised serious questions about fire safety measures in hospitals across the state. Local residents and opposition leaders have demanded strict action against the hospital management for alleged negligence. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.
This is not the first such incident in Bihar; a similar fire at a COVID-19 hospital in 2021 had claimed several lives. Authorities have been urged to conduct safety audits of all healthcare facilities in the region.
