Short Circuit Suspected Behind Early-Morning Fire at Prasad Hospital; Several Critical Patients Shifted to Nearby Medical Facilities
A tragic fire incident at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, claimed the lives of at least four patients after a massive blaze broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) located on the fifth floor of the hospital in the early hours of the morning. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as rescue and assessment operations continue.
According to preliminary findings, the fire is believed to have been triggered by a short circuit. The fire department received an emergency alert at approximately 3:55 AM and immediately dispatched firefighting and rescue teams to the hospital.
Firefighters rushed to the scene and successfully evacuated around 15 to 20 patients from the ICU. The remaining patients were shifted to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. However, the dense smoke and rapid spread of the fire created a life-threatening situation, particularly for critically ill patients dependent on ventilators and other life-support systems.
Speaking to media, Muzaffarpur Fire Department official Ram Niwas Pandey said that rescue teams managed to evacuate several patients, but two individuals were found dead at the scene. Other rescued patients were transferred to nearby healthcare facilities, although their current health status remains unclear.
The incident triggered panic inside the hospital as smoke engulfed the ICU and surrounding areas, causing severe breathing difficulties for patients and staff members. Emergency responders worked swiftly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen stated that around 13 patients were admitted to the ICU at the time of the incident, while several others were undergoing treatment in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU). He assured that a detailed investigation would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify any lapses in safety measures.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for the next of kin of each victim.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said that the local administration remains on high alert and that adequate arrangements have been made at district hospitals to ensure proper treatment for the injured patients.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while healthcare and emergency teams continue to monitor the condition of those affected by the devastating hospital fire.
