20230128 Doctor couple among 5 killed in fire at maternity hospital in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad
India Jan 28 2023 “Building” “Hospitals”
Dead : dead 5 to 9 Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 1 to 9
Doctor couple among 5 killed in fire at maternity hospital in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad
Updated: 2023-01-28
DHANBAD: Five people, including a doctor couple, were suffocated to death after a devastating fire broke out at Hazra clinic, a prominent and old maternity hospital in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, in the early hours of Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Dr Vikas Hazra, his wife and famous gynecologist Dr. Prema Hazra, their maid Tara, his relative Sunil and one person from his native place who had come to perform Saraswati Puja at his residence. The pet dog of the doctor also died in the incident.
Another person from his native place whose identity is yet to be established, is grappling for life in nearby Patliputra Nursing home.
According to reports, fire broke out in the first floor-based store room of the hospital which is connected with the residence of the doctor through a corridor. As the corridor got fully engulfed by fire, they could not come out of their room.
According to some eyewitness accounts, Vikas was seen shouting for help from the window of the residence. His dead body was found in the bath tub suggesting that he might have tried to save himself using water available there.
Though fire extinguishers were available in different corners but that could not be operated. However, there was no fire alarm installed in the hospital. Fire could have caused more damage had the two gas cylinders kept in the kitchen blasted.
Dhanbad civil surgeon Dr Alok Vishwakarma confirmed that all deaths were caused by suffocation.
SDPO (law and order) Arvind Binha and inspector in-charge of Bank More PS P K Singh said that prima facie short circuit seems to be the reason behind the fire.
State health minister Banna Gupta condoled the deaths and directed district administration to furnish detailed report of the incident.
Web Source: The Times of India