10 children killed in fire at hospital in Maharashtra's Bhandara

Seven children were rescued from the unit, says Pramod Khandate, Civil Surgeon, Bhandara

In a heart-wrenching incident, 10 newborn babies died after a fire broke out in a government hospital at Bhandara in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region on Saturday. The Maharashtra government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

The fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit of the District General Hospital in Bhandara between 1:30 am and 2 am. As fire and smoke engulfed the room, a nurse raised an alarm after which doctors and medical staff rushed to the spot, and seven out of the 17 infants in the NICU could be rescued.

A spark because of a supposed short-circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire, however, detailed investigations were in progress.

“There were 17 babies in the NICU of which seven in the Inborn Unit could be saved,” District Civil Surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate said, adding that fire-extinguishers were used to douse the fire, however, too much smoke from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit filled the place. There were electric warmers for babies in the unit.

Patients from the ICU, Dialysis Wing and the Labour Ward were shifted to safety. All the infants who died in the fire were aged between one month and three months. After the incident, Deputy Director of Health Services Sanjay Jaiswal, Bhandara District Collector Sandeep Kadam and Superintendent of Police Vasant Jadhav visited the spot.

This is a shocking incident,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said.

Thackeray spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Rajesh Tope, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education and Food and Drugs Administration Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar and announced a high-level probe into the incident.

"No matter how much we console, it will remain insufficient.....I can understand the pain and grief of the families who have lost their babies in this very untoward incident. The state government shares their pain but this is not enough,” Thackeray said, assuring a thorough probe and assured that the guilty would be brought to book.

After an inspection of the hospital at Bhandara, Tope said that a six-member team has been formed to look into the causes of the fire. “There was a spark...what caused the spark needs to be investigated,” he said, adding that the initial investigation report would be available by Sunday.

Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia announced

The Maharashtra government on Saturday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh per family who have lost their children in the fire. "Rs 5 lakh will be given to parents, families of the children who died in the unfortunate incident," public health and family welfare minister Rajesh Tope said.

Fire audit of all hospitals ordered

The Maharashtra government has ordered an audit of all neonatal care units of all hospitals of the state. “We have to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future... Audits need to be carried out at all neonatal care units across the hospitals in the state,” Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said.

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed outside the hospital. “My son was being treated at the SBCU,” a mother weeping outside the hospital said.

“It is a sad incident, we have ordered a probe,” said Bhandara guardian minister Vishwajeet Kadam.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoped for early recovery of those injured. "Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible," he tweeted.

President Ram Nath Kovind also condoled the death of children.

Maharashtra Opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis demanded an immediate probe. "I demand an immediate probe in the fire incident at Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara District General Hospital. I have also asked the government to take strict action against the culprits," he said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the death of children in the fire. “The fire accident in Bhandara district hospital, Maharashtra is very unfortunate. I am pained beyond words. My thoughts and condolences are with bereaved families. May God give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said: “The unfortunate incident of fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra is extremely tragic. My condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives. I appeal to the Maharashtra Government to provide every possible assistance to the families of the injured and deceased.”

Rajnath Singh too offered his condolences. "Deeply saddened by the death of infants in a tragic fire at the District Hospital Bhandara, Maharashtra. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," he tweeted.