A devastating fire at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) claimed the lives of 10 newborns late Friday night. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was triggered by a short circuit, but eyewitness accounts allege it started when a nurse lit a matchstick to fix an oxygen cylinder pipe. Expired fire extinguishers and non-functional safety alarms in the NICU exacerbated the tragedy, delaying evacuation efforts.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow and ordered a high-level investigation, seeking a report by Saturday evening. The Chief Minister announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for each victim’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences, offering an additional ₹2 lakh per family from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that the fire appeared to have started in an oxygen concentrator but assured a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause. Visuals from the hospital reveal a fully charred NICU ward, highlighting lapses in safety measures.
The opposition Samajwadi Party criticized the government for alleged negligence, with Akhilesh Yadav urging the Chief Minister to prioritize healthcare reforms over election campaigns.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for stringent fire safety protocols in medical institutions to prevent such heart-wrenching incidents in the future. Authorities have promised swift action to ensure accountability.
