Sangbad Voice 9, Jhansi: At least 10 infants died after a massive fire broke out in the SNCU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College and Hospital in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh. There were 55 newborns in the ward where the fire broke out. At least 45 children were rescued. Initial investigation has revealed that the fire was caused by a broken cylinder.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak said that fire safety arrangements were seen in the medical college in February 2024. The trial was also conducted in June, but sadly, there was a fire incident in the SNCU on Friday night, and 10 newborns died of burns. The fire extinguishers engaged for fire protection here are testifying that someone had completed his age two years ago and someone a year ago. As a result, the fire could not be extinguished.
Earlier, it was reported that fire safety alarms were installed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), but the alarm did not go off when the fire broke out. Eyewitnesses said there was smoke all around. If the safety alarm was sounded on time, the rescue operations could have started soon.
The fire that broke out in the newborn intensive care unit spread within a few minutes and reached the door. There was no way to get in. Firefighters tried to get inside, but they couldn't. Thereafter, the fire brigade personnel reached the spot and doused the fire by breaking the window panes. The fire was raging inside. Rescue operations were launched about half an hour after the fire broke out. After this, the firemen began to evacuate the newborns.
Fire investigators engaged in fire protection at Jhansi Medical College are testifying that someone had completed his age two years ago and someone a year ago. As a result, the cylinders failed to catch fire. One cylinder has a filling date of 2019, and the expiry date is 2020. That is, it had been several years since the fire cylinder had expired. These cylinders were kept here for empty display.
The newborns were admitted in 2 rooms of the NICU ward of the medical college. As soon as the fire started, smoke started coming out. Most of the deaths are said to be due to suffocation. On receiving information, police and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot and tried to douse the flames. Police broke down the door and entered the house. Later, police rescued some of the children.
The government has announced a compensation of Rs five lakh to the families of the victims. Rs five lac compensation is being given to the families of the dead. The CM said that this assistance should be received as soon as possible.
