Fire engulfs hospital ward in northern India, killing 10 newborns

LUCKNOW, India — 

A occurrence tore done a neonatal intensive attraction portion successful a infirmary successful bluish India, sidesplitting 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others, authorities said.

The occurrence occurred precocious Friday astatine a infirmary successful Jhansi metropolis successful India's Uttar Pradesh state. Officials said the blaze dispersed rapidly done the ward, wherever 55 infants were being treated. Forty-five babies were rescued and are receiving aesculapian care, said Bimal Kumar Dubey, a section official.

It was not instantly wide what sparked the blaze. Brajesh Pathak, the lawman main curate of the state, visited the infirmary and met with families connected Saturday. He pledged authorities enactment for the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation.

"We volition place those liable for this calamity and instrumentality strict action. The authorities stands with families during this hard time," helium said.

When the firefighters arrived, the ward was engulfed successful flames and plumes of smoke. Rescuers had to interruption done windows to scope the newborn babies. Eyewitnesses said the rescue cognition began astir 30 minutes aft the occurrence erupted, delaying evacuation efforts.

The mishap has raised questions implicit the hospital’s information measures. While occurrence alarms had been installed successful the intensive attraction unit, parents and witnesses said they did not activate during the blaze. Hospital unit acted lone aft they saw signs of fume and fire.

"If the information alarm had worked, we could person acted sooner and saved much lives," said Naresh Kumar, a genitor who mislaid his baby.

Akhtar Hussain, whose lad was rescued and is receiving attraction successful an adjacent ward, agreed that the calamity could person been prevented if the infirmary had amended information protocols.

Fires are communal successful India, wherever gathering laws and information norms are often flouted by builders and residents. Poor attraction and deficiency of due firefighting instrumentality successful the state besides leads to deaths.