Short Circuit Triggers Blaze in Asha Jyoti Kendra Waiting Area, Fire Brought Under Control Within 30 Minutes
Panic gripped the Lok Bandhu Hospital complex in Lucknow’s Ashiana area on Friday morning after a massive fire broke out in the false ceiling of the waiting area at the Asha Jyoti Kendra. The blaze, reportedly caused by a short circuit, led to heavy smoke accumulation inside parts of the building, prompting an emergency response from hospital staff and the fire department.
The incident occurred at around 5:50 a.m., when flames spread rapidly through the false ceiling. Thick smoke engulfed sections of the building, causing breathing difficulties for some security personnel. The fire damaged the electrical panel and portions of the false ceiling before being brought under control.
Hospital authorities immediately informed senior officials after the fire was detected. Staff members rushed to the scene and used fire extinguishers to contain the flames. After nearly 30 minutes of firefighting efforts, the blaze was successfully extinguished. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.
Following directions from Chief Fire Officer Dharmpal Singh, two fire tenders were dispatched to the hospital. However, by the time firefighters reached the site, the hospital’s in-house fire safety team had already managed to control the fire.
According to the Fire Media Cell, the blaze originated in the electrical panel board of the Asha Jyoti Centre. Fire personnel later carried out cooling operations using hose lines to ensure the fire was completely extinguished and prevent any possibility of re-ignition.
Hospital Had Witnessed Major Fire in 2025
The latest incident comes more than a year after a devastating fire broke out near the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and patient wards at Lok Bandhu Hospital on April 14, 2025. That fire destroyed medical equipment and treatment records, forcing the evacuation of nearly 200 patients to nearby hospitals. One person also lost their life in the incident.
Fire Safety Upgrade Still Incomplete
Following the 2025 tragedy, authorities initiated a fire safety upgrade project worth approximately ₹3 crore, which included the installation of a fire-resistant false ceiling and an automatic sprinkler system. However, despite more than a year having passed, the project remains incomplete, raising fresh concerns over fire preparedness at the government hospital.
Recent Similar Incident at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The Lucknow fire follows another recent incident at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, where a massive fire broke out in a laboratory located on the fourth floor of the Nursing College building. That incident also triggered panic among students and hospital staff, highlighting the growing importance of stringent fire safety measures in healthcare institutions across the country.
