Four people died in a massive fire that broke out early this morning at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur. More than 20 patients sustained injuries due to smoke spreading following a short circuit in the ICU, and the condition of several remains critical.
उत्तर बिहार में बड़ा हादसा, मुजफ्फरपुर के अस्पताल में लगी भीषण आग, 4 मरीजों की मौत, करीब दो दर्ज़न घायल
A major tragedy struck early Thursday morning in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar following a massive fire at a private hospital. Chaos ensued throughout the entire premises of Prasad Hospital, located within the Brahampura police station area, after the fire broke out. The incident has claimed the lives of four people, while more than 20 patients have sustained injuries. The condition of several patients is reported to be critical.
Fire Erupts in ICU; Toxic Smoke Spreads Throughout Hospital
According to preliminary reports, the fire broke out around 3:00 AM in the ICU ward, located on the fifth floor of the hospital. It is suspected that a short circuit triggered the blaze, and within a short time, the entire ICU area was engulfed in thick smoke. Subsequently, the toxic smoke spread to other parts of the hospital, creating a chaotic, stampede-like situation among admitted patients and their relatives.
Patients in critical condition admitted to the ICU were the worst affected by the smoke; many suffered from asphyxiation. People present in the hospital began rushing outside to save their lives, while immediate relief and rescue operations were launched to safely evacuate the critically ill patients.
Rescue Operation Lasts for Hours
Upon receiving information about the incident, dozens of fire tenders rushed to the scene. Firefighting personnel managed to bring the blaze under control after several hours of arduous effort. During this time, hundreds of ambulances were utilized to transport patients to safer locations and to other nearby hospitals. Many patients required immediate referral to other facilities.
An atmosphere of panic and distress, filled with cries of alarm, prevailed at the accident site throughout the late night and into the morning hours. Relatives of the patients continued to contact hospital and administrative officials in an effort to obtain information regarding their loved ones. The condition of several patients affected by the fire is reported to remain critical.
Questions Raised Over Safety Standards; Inquiry Ordered
In the wake of the tragedy, some individuals alleged that the hospital had failed to adequately adhere to safety standards, a lapse that exacerbated the severity of the situation. Ram Niwas Pandey, an official from the Fire Department, stated that the entire matter is currently being assessed. He stated that several patients in the ICU have been affected by asphyxiation, and detailed information regarding the death toll is currently being gathered.
Meanwhile, the hospital management has issued a statement affirming that it is extending full cooperation to the administration and that an inquiry into the causes of the incident is underway. The district administration has also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Officials from the Fire Department suggest that a lack of fire safety equipment in the ICU ward could be a potential factor contributing to the rapid spread of the fire, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
This incident—which occurred at Prasad Hospital, considered one of the leading private hospitals in North Bihar—has raised serious questions regarding fire safety, emergency management, and compliance with safety standards within private healthcare facilities. Currently, teams from the police, the administration, and the Fire Department are present at the scene. The inspection of the debris and rescue operations are ongoing. Officials apprehend that the death toll may rise, as the condition and status of some patients remained unclear for an extended period.
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