Mumbai fire: Probe ordered after lapses come to light

With a series of lapses coming to light following the fire at the government-run ESIC Kamgar Hospital in Mumbai, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday initiated a probe.

Reports stated that two weeks ago, the hospital had failed a fire safety check. The hospital staff also staged an impromptu protest.

The fire detection and management systems at the hospital were not up to the mark. There were also reports that the fire broke out because of short circuit near the place where rubber rolls were kept.

So far, eight people have lost their lives in the fire and more than a dozen others are still said to be critical.

On Monday, fire broke out on the fourth floor of the ground plus five storey, 325-bed hospital at Marol in Andheri East.

Mumbai's civic, fire and disaster management teams rescued 173 people and admitted them to hospitals. Three firemen too faced suffocation related problems.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a day-long visit to Mumbai, said: "I condole the death of people in the fire. I have discussed with Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis)...all help is being extended."

Ex-gratia

The government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those killed, Rs 2 lakh to those seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh to those with minor injuries.

"An inquiry has been ordered into the incident," Fadnavis said.

Most of those dead and injured faced suffocation. In fact, Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr Reshma Verma too fainted while rescuing patients.

"Whether fire audits were done or not, whether the systems were in place or not, will be investigated," Mumbai Mayor Prof Vishwanath Mahadeshwar said.