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Saying this, pregnant Neelu faints. Her husband takes care of her. Gives water to drink. Gives consolation. This was not the case with just one couple.
10 newborn babies were burnt alive in a fire in the infant ward at Maharani Lakshmibai Medical College, Jhansi. Their bodies were taken out one by one. Doctors were seen running with them. All the newborn babies admitted in the ward started being rescued. The entire campus started echoing with screams. Voices came – Hey, please show me the face of my child.
All this happened around 11 am to 11.30 pm. The SNCU, where newborn babies were kept after birth, was burnt to ashes. The machines were reduced to debris.
Workers carrying a dead child in their arms from SNCU of Jhansi Medical College.
The entire incident took place on Friday night at around 11.45 pm. Dainik Bhaskar Reporters reached the spot as soon as the information was received. The scene was disturbing. Read Bhaskar Reporter’s Eye Saw…
We also ran with a doctor holding three newborns, a nurse and people
When we reached near SNCU ward, two small vehicles of fire brigade were stationed at the gate. Dial-112 and police force were deployed. The steps became faster. As soon as he reached the crowd. We were shocked to see two doctors. A doctor was holding a blackened newborn baby. Behind him, another doctor was holding three newborns in his hands, who appeared to be burnt in fire.
This was the first scene which was recorded in Bhaskar camera.
The doctor who moved forward looked back, then both the doctors ran. Voices came from behind – Hey Ram-Ram. Everyone got burnt…
We also ran after them… went about 200 meters away. Nurses were running behind the doctors, there were people. We moved forward quickly. He approached a man and asked what happened. He said- the children got burnt.
People were running along with doctors and nurses, we also ran. The people running said – the children have burnt to death.
Rescue was being done from the ward window
After seeing this incident we stopped our steps. Then we moved towards where these people were coming from. There was smoke everywhere here, there was a foul smell of burning. This was the burning of medicines and electronic items. The lights had been cut, it was dark. When I went closer I saw that some people were going inside through the ward window. He had a torch in his hands.
This was the infant ward of Jhansi Medical College. As soon as he went near, some people present there said – Sir, 8 children were found burnt.
This is the window of the ward from where the rescue was being done.
Santra Devi said- I found someone’s daughter, not my grandson.
As soon as we reached the gallery to go inside the hospital. Orange goddess bumped into us. She was running with a girl. When asked she said – My child was not found. Found this someone’s daughter. She would also die, but I will save her.
This is Santra Devi, who ran to the other ward carrying a girl.
As soon as Santra Devi took this girl to another ward, she hugged us and started crying. She said- Our son’s name is Balakishan Savita. Daughter-in-law’s name is Kavita. We have not been able to save his son. We had gone to get medicine, when we returned, everyone started saying – There has been a fire, there has been a fire. We have not found my son. Everyone started running away with their children. Was not allowed inside.
Savita said- We were never allowed inside. He used to tell Mike to bring the medicine, just bring it. After this she starts crying loudly.
This is Santra Devi, whose grandson she did not get.
SNCU ward burnt to ashes
We returned to the ward. There was a noise – no child is inside now. All have been fired. The fire is quiet. A fire brigade personnel from behind said – Just look, if there is smoke anywhere then tell me. A voice came from inside – Now there is nothing anywhere.
This is Ward’s picture.
After this this place gradually became vacant. We went closer. The ward was completely reduced to ashes. The machines in which the children were kept were burnt.
The pregnant woman became upset while crying, the husband said – it is the doctor’s negligence.
Neelu was weak after giving birth to a son. His son was not able to breathe properly. Therefore he was kept in the pediatric ward. Neelu’s husband Kuldeep told this. Neelu, who was clinging to him, was in a state of despair. She was just telling her husband – bring my son.
This mother is Neelu and her husband Kuldeep.
Kuldeep told- We are residents of Mahoba. Here is Neelu’s maternal house. Delivery took place on 9 November. When the child was born prematurely, the problems increased. But now something untoward has happened. My son is not being found due to the negligence of the doctors. They did not allow anyone inside. Everyone was outside.
Pregnant mother-in-law fainted on the road
After consoling Neelu and Kuldeep, we had just moved some distance when a pregnant mother-in-law fainted on the road. His family members ran to get water to wake him up.
A woman fainted after hearing the news of her child being burnt.
DM Saheb came, got the answer – 10 children died
All this happened within just half an hour. After this there was a noise – DM Saheb has come. The policemen started moving towards the gate. We also went in that direction. DM Avinash Kumar talked to the hospital staff. After this he met the media.
DM Avinash Kumar said- There are two wards for children here. One unit is on the inside, the other on the outside. Children with critical conditions are kept in the inner unit. Many children have been rescued safely. Seriously injured children are being treated. Deaths of 10 children have been reported so far.
Giving information about the incident is DM Avinash Kumar.
DM said – Prima facie, what has come to light is that the fire was caused by a short circuit. All the children who are injured are being monitored. The incident occurred between 10.30 am and 10.45 am. An investigation team has been formed. Which will give its report.
Shortly after the DM’s departure, Congress leaders arrived, who were seen talking about helping the people. Till now we had not confirmed how many children were admitted in the ward. To answer this question, we also met the medical staff. But, he refused to tell anything.
Sanjana said- My child has been burnt
As soon as the DM left from there. A woman was seen running behind his car. She came and stopped near us. She said- Brother, our child has burnt to death.
This is Sanjana, who said- Get us our child.
When we asked her name, she started telling – name is Sanjana. After this he started running again. Sanjana said- We just want my child.
Commissioner said – fire started from inside
After some time, Commissioner Vimal Dubey reached the hospital. He told- Most of the children have been saved. The NICU ward has two units, one inside and the other outside. The fire has started from inside.
CMS Sachin Mahor said- There were 54 children in the ward, 10 have died.
CMS said- 54 children were admitted, fire spread in the entire room.
Jhansi Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) Sachin Mahor said- 54 children were admitted in the NICU ward, suddenly the oxygen concentrator caught fire. This ward is highly oxygenated. As soon as the fire started, it spread throughout the room. 10 children have died so far. The remaining children are undergoing treatment.
Children kept in normal ward after rescue
Children are being treated in the normal ward.
After the CMS statement, we went to the ward where the children were kept after the rescue. There was no facility like NICU here. The children were kept wrapped in clothes and towels. Even the staff was not visible.
People said- there was a sound like an explosion.
People present at the spot said that there was a noise of fire, after some time there was smoke in the ward. After this a sound like an explosion also came. It felt as if a bomb had exploded. Then the doctor and nurse were seen running away. This happened due to the negligence of the hospital staff.
This is a picture of the NICU ward.
Instructions to submit investigation report within 12 hours
At around 1 o’clock in the night, police force from about half a dozen police stations reached the spot at the hospital. During this time, information came from Lucknow to Jhansi that Health Secretary Jhansi Medical College would reach Deputy CM Brijesh Pathak. The entire administrative staff became active at the spot.
Expressing grief over this incident, CM Yogi has directed for investigation. Following the instructions of the CM, an inquiry committee has been formed. Commissioner and DIG Medical College will investigate the fire incident. CM Yogi has asked for investigation report within 12 hours.
