Eight patients in the Intensive Care Unit of a private Covid-19 designated hospital in Ahmedabad died after fire broke out on Thursday, the fire officer said, according to PTI. The patients included five men and three women.
The fire erupted at the Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad in the early hours of Thursday, the official said. Around 40 coronavirus patients were evacuated from the facility and shifted to a civic hospital in the city, the officer added.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, B division, LB Zala said that the hospital’s trustee, Bharat Mahant, and a ward boy have been detained, according to ANI. Ahmedabad inspector Rajendra Asari told the news agency the trustee is being interrogated. “We are taking the help of fire and forensic experts in the investigation,” he added.
Zala told The Indian Express that the fire started around 3.30 am and has been controlled now. “Many other patients were also rescued,” he added The bodies are being sent for postmortem. Forensic experts have arrived at the site for a detailed investigation.”
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, who reached the hospital soon after the incident, said an electric short circuit led to the blaze, PTI reported.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani ordered an investigation into the incident. Rupani’s office said the probe will be conducted by two Indian Administrative Service officers – Additional Chief Secretary in Home Department Sangeeta Singh and ACS in Urban Development Department Mukesh Puri. They have been asked to submit a report within three days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Rupani and Ahmedabad Mayor Bijal Patil about the situation. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will release Rs 2 lakh for the kin of each of the deceased.
Modi offered condolences to the families of the deceased. “Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad,” he tweeted. “Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.” He said the Ahmedabad administration is providing all possible assistance.
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