On Monday night, at least four children perished in a fire in the paediatric ward of Kamla Nehru Hospital, which is located on the campus of Hamidia Hospital, generating panic and chaos among parents and hospital employees.
There was also speculation that at least six children had suffered burn injuries, although this could not be confirmed.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh tweeted the news of the three children’s deaths at midnight, roughly three hours after the fire broke out. Even though parents and reporters were not allowed into the hospital, hospital officials, police, and administration remained tight-lipped about the death.
The hospital staff confirmed death of another child. Besides, the condition of some of the students was stated to be serious.
“The incident in the paediatric ward of Kamla Nehru hospital is very unfortunate. The rescue work was carried out speedily. The fire was controlled but unfortunately three children who were already seriously ailing couldn’t be saved”, said the CM.
The CM also announced a high-level inquiry into the incident saying the inquiry would be conducted by the additional chief secretary, Health Mohd Suleman.
The fire incident has once again brought to light serious lapses in the implementation of the safety norms in the government hospitals in general and paediatric wards in particular.
Earlier, the CM had said, “The officials present at the site are in touch with me. My ministerial colleague who reached the hospital immediately is monitoring the rescue operation. (I) pray to the God that everyone is fine.”
There were parents crying outside the hospital in desperation to know about well-being of their wards but there was no information available. Several parents were furious who alleged they were kept in dark about condition of their children.
“I was shooed away when I wanted to enter the hospital”, said a woman.
The ward where the fire broke out is situated at the 3rd floor. Several children in a critical condition were shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) of other hospitals, as per hospital staff.
Around 70 to 80 Children including new born babies and doctors were believed to be trapped when the fire broke out. Some of the children admitted were taken out by breaking window glass. Stretchers and other equipment were seen being sent inside the hospital.
Eight to ten fire tenders were pressed into services to douse the fire. Minister for Medical Education Vishvas Sarang rushed to the hospital to assess the situation. According to police, fire was doused in more than one hour but the ward was filled with smoke for a longer time causing suffocation.
Roads were barricaded to check the rush of people towards Hamidia Hospital. Police cordoned off the premises. Routes were diverted.
Parents of one Vinita who is admitted in pediatric ward said, “No one is telling about condition of my child and other children. No doctor is listening.” Police said, “Smoke has been propelled by breaking glass of ward. Fire has been doused completely.”
Fire brigade in-charge Rameshwar Neel said, “Fire incident seems to have been caused by a short circuit prima facie. Fire has been doused and even smoke has been drained out from ward. Rest of the thing will come in the investigation.”
