up-govt-refutes-claims-of-expired-fire-equipment-at-jhansi

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak refuted allegations of negligence regarding fire safety at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi, following a devastating fire in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that claimed the lives of 10 newborns.

 

Pathak dismissed reports suggesting expired fire extinguishers or faulty alarms, asserting, "All the firefighting equipment in the medical college was completely fine. A fire safety audit was conducted here in February and a mock drill was also conducted in June."

 

The tragic incident, reportedly triggered by an electrical short circuit on Friday night, left another 16 infants critically injured.

 

This hospital is one of the largest government healthcare facilities in the Bundelkhand region.

Reiterating the safety measures at the hospital, the college's principal, Dr Narendra Singh Sengar, said, "A total of 146 fire extinguisher systems are installed in the medical college.

At the time of the accident, the fire extinguisher of the NICU ward was also used. All these equipment are also audited from time to time. During this, the deficiencies are removed."

Dr Sengar described claims about expired firefighting systems as “completely baseless,” adding, “The fire broke out in the ward due to a short circuit. The accident is being investigated.”

 

The Yogi Adityanath-led government has pledged full support to the affected families.

 

"The Yogi Adityanath government is standing with the children and their families. Our staff, doctors, and rescue team have worked bravely to save the children," Deputy Chief Minister Pathak affirmed.

 

Senior Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh provided updates on rescue operations, revealing that 52 to 54 children were present in the NICU when the fire erupted.

 

“The medical college has informed that 10 of them have died, 16 are undergoing treatment, and verification for others is ongoing,” Singh said.

 

She noted that some parents, panicked by the fire, reportedly took their children home.

 

Efforts are underway to confirm the exact number of children affected and their current status.

 

The rescue operation was completed at approximately 1 a.m. on Saturday, Singh added.

 

Medical staff have been fully mobilised to provide care for the injured children, ensuring that no effort is spared in their treatment.