‘Expired’ fire extinguishers, ‘faulty’ fire alarms: What caused Jhansi fire?

Following the fire accident at Jhansi hospital that killed 10 newborns, a “defective alarm system” and “expired fire extinguishers” were discovered, according to a media report. A fire broke out at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi on Friday night.
Families of the victims told News18 report that the lives of the 10 newborns could have been saved if the fire extinguishers were working properly.
Even the fire safety alarms were not functioning properly during the tragic incident, which delayed the hospital evacuation, the report mentioned.
According to the reports citing a man, identified as Kripal Singh Rajput, who came to see his grandson, every single bed in the infant ward was accommodating six children each, there were 18 beds in total
During his visit to the hospital, the fire broke out, and he rescued 25 newborns.
However, the government has dismissed allegations of safety lapses. UP Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak denied media reports claiming that the medical college had expired fire extinguishers.
“All firefighting equipment in the medical college was completely fine,” PTI reported quoting Pathak. He said a fire safety audit was conducted in February and a mock drill in June.
Several visuals of the accident emerged where alarmed patients and their caretakers along with police officials could be seen aiding the rescue operations.
The minister confirmed the cause of the fire saying, “The fire broke out due to a short circuit. Health Minister and state Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak reached there at night. 10 children had died there. The rest of the children are safe.”
Around 16 children were injured and are being treated at a local hospital, the report said.
CM Yogi Adityanath announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased babies and ₹50,000 aid for families of injured children. Additionally, he has proposed a high-level probe of the incident, the report for which will be provided on Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences to the grieving families.
“Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss. The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” PM Modi posted on X.