Authorities Issue Show-Cause Notice, Arrest Three Staff Members as Investigation Continues
In the aftermath of the devastating fire at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, that claimed six lives, district health authorities have suspended the hospital’s licence and issued a show-cause notice to the management, seeking an explanation within seven days.
The action was taken following an initial assessment that indicated possible safety lapses and alleged negligence on the part of the hospital administration. The Civil Surgeon’s office ordered the immediate suspension of the hospital’s registration and directed the management to submit a detailed response along with supporting documents explaining the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirmed that the hospital had been served a show-cause notice and stated that authorities would review the management’s response before deciding on further action.
Fire Erupted in ICU, Six Patients Dead
The fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Prasad Hospital during the early hours of Thursday. According to preliminary findings, a short circuit is suspected to have triggered the blaze, although officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Dense smoke rapidly spread through the ICU and adjoining wards, making evacuation difficult for critically ill patients. Six patients lost their lives in the incident, while several others suffered injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials said some rescued patients remain in critical condition. At least 17 injured patients are currently undergoing treatment at various medical facilities.
Families Allege Negligence and Poor Fire Safety Measures
The tragedy has sparked outrage among victims’ families and local residents, who have accused the hospital administration of negligence and inadequate fire safety arrangements.
Relatives of patients alleged that rescue operations were poorly coordinated and claimed that information regarding admitted patients was not readily available during the emergency, adding to the chaos and distress.
Three Hospital Employees Arrested
As part of the ongoing investigation, police have arrested three hospital employees, including the ICU duty doctor, the administrative manager, and the maintenance manager.
Muzaffarpur City Superintendent of Police Mohibullah Ansari stated that the roles of the arrested individuals appeared suspicious during the preliminary inquiry. Investigators are examining whether any lapses in safety protocols or emergency response procedures contributed to the loss of lives.
Five-Member Committee Formed for Detailed Inquiry
The district administration has constituted a five-member committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident. The panel will examine potential violations of fire safety norms, emergency preparedness measures, and hospital management practices.
Authorities have indicated that strict legal action will be taken if negligence or regulatory violations are established during the investigation.
Bihar Government Announces Compensation
The Bihar government has announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for the families of each deceased victim in accordance with existing state policy.
Meanwhile, Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar cancelled his scheduled visit to Delhi and returned to Patna following the incident. He later visited injured patients admitted to Jayaprabha Medanta Hospital in Patna and assured them of the best possible medical treatment.
Investigation Underway
Officials have reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that accountability will be fixed based on the findings of the inquiry. The tragic incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities across the state.
Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
