Jhansi Hospital Fire That Killed 11 Newborns Found To Be Accidental: Report

The fire at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh that claimed the lives of 11 newborns was entirely accidental, according to the findings of a two-member committee investigating the incident.

As per NDTV, the panel has concluded that there was no criminal conspiracy or negligence involved, and as a result, no FIR has been filed.

Photo Credit: PTI

The fire broke out around 10:45 pm on Friday in the neonatal wards of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, one of the largest government hospitals in the Bundelkhand region of the state.

The committee, led by Jhansi Commissioner Vipul Dubey and DIG Kalanidhi Nathani, determined that the fire was caused by a short circuit in a switchboard.

The fire was unable to be contained as sprinklers were not installed in the paediatrics ward. Doctors informed the committee that sprinklers were not installed in the NICU due to the presence of newborns.

At the time of the fire, six nurses, other staff, and two doctors were in the NICU. One nurse suffered burns to her legs while trying to extinguish the flames.

The fire quickly spread toward the oxygen concentrator, but despite efforts by paramedical staff and others using fire extinguishers, the fire became uncontrollable. Fire engines arrived on the scene shortly after.

The full report from the investigation committee is expected soon. Additionally, a four-member panel led by the Director General of Medical Education, Kinjal Singh, has been formed to investigate how the short circuit occurred and whether the machines in the ward were overloaded, which could indicate serious negligence.

This committee will also offer recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future, with its report expected within a week.