From ‘expired’ fire extinguishers to ‘faulty’ fire alarms: What caused the Jhansi hospital fire?

A “defective alarm system” and “expired fire extinguishers” were discovered at a Jhansi hospital following a fire accident that killed 10 newborns, according to a media report. A fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College. jhansi Friday night.

Families of the victims told News18 that the lives of 10 newborn babies could have been saved if the fire extinguishers had worked properly.

Even fire safety The report stated that the alarms were not working properly at the time of the tragic incident, which delayed the evacuation of the hospital.

According to reports by a man named Kripal Singh Rajput, who came to see his grandson, there were six children in each bed in the infant ward, making 18 beds in total.

During his visit hospitalfire broke out and saved 25 newborn babies.

However, the government denied the allegations of security breaches. UP Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak has denied media reports claiming that the medical college’s fire extinguishers have expired.

“All the fire-fighting equipment in the medical college was in completely good condition,” PTI quoted Pathak as saying. He said a fire safety inspection was carried out in February and a drill was carried out in June.

Various images of the accident have emerged, in which alarmed patients and their caregivers, as well as police officials, can be seen assisting in rescue operations.

Confirming the cause of the fire, the Minister said, “The fire broke out due to a short circuit. Health Minister and Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak reached there at night. 10 children died there. The rest of the children are safe.”

The report stated that approximately 16 children were injured and were treated at a local hospital.

CM Yogi Adityanath announces financial aid ₹5 lakh each to the families of deceased babies. ₹50,000 aid to families of injured children. He also suggested a high-level investigation into the incident and a report on the same will be submitted on Saturday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

“Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this incident. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this great loss. PM Modi wrote on X: The local administration, under the control of the state government, is making all possible efforts for relief and rescue.