Short circuit likely cause of Jhansi hospital fire: Initial probe

An electrical short circuit is suspected to have caused a fire at Jhansi Medical College's neonatal intensive care unit, resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 infants. Authorities have identified all but one of the 49 children present during the incident. The state government has initiated investigations and announced compensation for the victims' families.

Charred ward of the NICU after a fire at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, in Jhansi (PTI photo) LUCKNOW/JHANSI: An electrical short circuit emerged as a possible cause of Friday night's fire at Jhansi Medical College in which 10 infants were killed, as per initial findings, even as UP govt constituted Saturday a high-level committee to probe the tragic fire that broke out in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit . The govt also issued instructions for probes at the government, police and fire department, and magisterial levels. Seven of the 10 deceased infants were initially identified after an autopsy by a panel of four doctors Saturday.

The bodies of identified deceased infants were handed over to their kin, while DNA samples of remaining three unidentified babies were preserved for identification. Later in the day, the remaining three boys were identified with assistance from hospital staff, their families were informed, and the bodies handed over to them. Additional district magistrate Varun Pandey clarified that identities of all but one of the 49 children who were in the ward have now been ascertained.

The infant who has not been identified yet is alive. Of the 49 children present in the ward at the time of the fire, 17 are undergoing treatment at the hospital. Additionally, four infants have been shifted to private hospitals, another three to a district hospital, one child has returned home, and six infants have left with their mothers.

A senior officer privy to the probe said that as per initial probe, the fire originated from an electrical short circuit, with the oxygen concentrator in the ward acting as a catalyst. The panel, headed by the DG, medical education and training, has been directed to submit its report to state govt within a week. A spokesperson said UP CM Yogi Adityanath is personally monitoring the situation and the state has announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to families of injured children.

PM Modi also announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured..