While 7 newborns died after a massive fire broke out at a children’s hospital in Delhi late Saturday, at least 12 were rescued due to the awareness and fearlessness of Delhiites. The eyewitness revealed that before the fire tenders could reach the spot, a few people who saw a huge fire engulf the children’s hospital scaled the compound wall and climbed from the rear side of the building to rescue newborns.
A massive fire erupted at a children’s hospital in the Vivek Vihar area of East Delhi on Saturday night. 12 newborns were rescued from the first floor of the hospital building, while five children are currently being treated at the hospital.
The eyewitness said local residents were the first to rush to help. “Locals were the first to enter the burning hospital to save the babies. They were soon joined by fire department officials and the police,” a local resident and rescuer Ankit Bansal was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Informing about the incident, rescuer Ankit Bansal informed that the blast was heard at around 11.30 pm, causing a massive fire in the hospital. “We came to know that oxygen cylinder had exploded. There was huge blaze at the front gate. We could not go inside. Nurses came out from the backside clamouring to save the newborns. We had put the ladder from the backside. We started rescuing the babies,” he was quoted as saying.
“3-4 babies were fine. If they would have got timely care, they would have been saved. The babies who were in front were harmed. We rescued all babies. The fire was doused by around 12.45 am,” he added.
Onwer of Hospital Absconding
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has filed an FIR against Naveen Chinchi, the proprietor of Baby Care New Born Hospital, under IPC sections 336, 304A, and 34. Investigations are underway to determine if the hospital possessed a fire NOC. The owner of the hospital is reportedly absconding.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor VK Saxena has directed Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to “institute an inquiry” into the east Delhi hospital fire.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the fire at the children’s hospital was “heart-rendering”. “The causes of the incident are being investigated and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared,” he posted on X.
Meanwhile expressing grief over the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the deceased in the Delhi hospital blaze.
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