Mumbai: At least ten patients died and several others were injured after a massive fire ripped through the ICU of the Ahmednagar Civil Hospital on Saturday. Another patient is said to be critically injured. Four fire tenders have been rushed to the spot to douse the flames which were spreading to other adjoining wards with attempts underway to control the blaze and shift the patients from the affected areas.
As per the reports, the blaze erupted around 11 am in the intensive care unit (ICU) where nearly 20 patients were undergoing treatment in Scores of relatives rushed to the hospital for details on their near and dear ones. “The bodies of all 10 victims were then sent for post-mortem and the reason behind their death – whether it was caused due to suffocation or due to disruption in medical oxygen supply- is being investigated”, said Rajendra Bhosale, district collector of Ahmednagar.
Meanwhile, senior police, district, and fire brigade officials have arrived at the spot to supervise the rescue and relief operations. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but initial investigations revealed that the blaze started due to an electrical short circuit.
Expressing grief over the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “My condolences to the kin of those who lost their lives. I appeal to congress workers to assist in the relief work.”
Describing the incident as “very shocking and disturbing”, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis said, “My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in Nagar Civil Hospital ICU Fire incident. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
He also demanded an “in-depth inquiry” into the incident and called for strict action against those responsible for it.
Earlier in April this year, 15 COVID-19 patients had died in a blaze at the ICU of a private hospital in Palghar district of Maharashtra.
Another fire in March at Dreams Mall in Mumbai’s Bhandup, which housed a Covid-designated hospital, had claimed the lives of nine corona patients.
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