A devastating fire broke out in the neonatal ward of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, resulting in the deaths of 10 newborns. The fire erupted late Wednesday night, with reports suggesting an electrical short circuit as the likely cause. Hospital staff and firefighters managed to rescue 16 other infants who were in critical condition and rushed them to nearby facilities for treatment.
Eyewitness accounts describe chaos as parents and medical personnel scrambled to evacuate the ward. Thick smoke engulfed the area, complicating rescue efforts. According to authorities, the fire began in the air conditioning system and quickly spread, engulfing the ward within minutes. Despite the hospital’s initial response, the rapid spread of flames overwhelmed efforts to control the blaze immediately.
The tragedy has ignited anger among the families of victims, with many alleging negligence by hospital authorities. They claim that the fire safety measures in the facility were inadequate and poorly maintained. Preliminary inspections indicate the absence of functional fire extinguishers in critical zones, a clear violation of safety protocols.
State health officials have confirmed that an investigation is underway. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a special committee to probe the incident and ensure accountability. Compensation packages for the affected families have been announced, offering financial relief and additional support for medical treatment of the rescued infants.
The incident has cast a spotlight on safety standards in public health facilities across the country. Calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms have gained momentum, with activists urging reforms to prevent similar tragedies. This fire joins a grim list of fatal hospital incidents in recent years, raising urgent questions about systemic failures in healthcare infrastructure.