UP Hospital Fire That Killed 11 Babies Accidental, Finds Panel: Sources

The fire at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh that killed 11 newborns, was entirely accidental and not deliberate, a two-member committee investigating the matter has found. There is no criminal conspiracy or negligence in the incident, due to which no FIR has been registered till now, sources said, quoting the findings of the two-member panel. 

The fire broke out around 10.45 pm on Friday in the neonatal wards of Jhansi's Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, one of the largest government hospitals in the state's Bundelkhand region.

The committee of Jhansi Commissioner Vipul Dubey and DIG Range Kalanidhi Nathani - which was expected to file its report within 24 hours -- found that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the switchboard and could not be brought under control as sprinklers were not installed in paediatrics ward. The doctors told the committee that water sprinklers are not installed in the NICU ward due to the presence of newborns, sources said.

At the time, six nurses and other staff and two doctors were present in the NICU ward. One of the nurses sustained burns on her legs while attempting to douse the fire. 

The fire from the switchboard had rapidly started spreading towards the oxygen concentrator when a paramedical staff and two others went in with fire extinguishers. But by then, the fire was beyond control, sources said, pointing to the findings of the committee. Within minutes though, fire tenders reached the spot. 

The detailed report of the investigation committee is expected soon. 

A four-member panel though, has been formed under the chairmanship of the Director General of Medical Education, Kinjal Singh, will look into how the short circuit happened and if the machines in the ward were overloaded, in which case it would count as massive negligence.

The four-member committee has been tasked with identifying the cause of the fire and determining whether any negligence was involved. It will also provide recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. It is expected to submit its report within a week.