At Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, a significant fire outbreak resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries. The District Magistrate confirmed the deaths and highlighted that several patients are in critical condition, necessitating their transfer to other medical facilities for ongoing care. The fire caused widespread panic within the hospital, prompting evacuations of patients, attendants, and medical staff to ensure their safety.
The intensity of the blaze was particularly severe in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where patients were reportedly trapped amidst smoke and flames. Hospital officials attributed the fire to an alleged short circuit in the ICU, leading to a rapid escalation of the situation. Firefighters, alerted by local residents, swiftly responded with multiple fire tenders and successfully brought the fire under control after extensive efforts.
Concurrently, rescue operations were conducted urgently, with ambulances continuously evacuating patients to safer locations for immediate treatment. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as families searched for their loved ones amidst the distress. Fire Department officials mentioned challenges in determining the exact death toll due to smoke inhalation and asphyxiation within the ICU.
Amidst the tragedy, Prasad Hospital authorities assured cooperation with the administration and initiated an internal inquiry to investigate the incident. The lack of adequate fire safety measures in the ICU has raised concerns about safety standards in private healthcare facilities. The district administration has launched a thorough investigation into the fire, emphasizing the importance of fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in medical establishments.
