Synopsis
Gwalior District Magistrate Ruchika Chauhan has established a committee led by Sub Divisional Magistrate Vinod Singh to investigate the March 16 fire incident at Kamla Raja Hospital. The committee aims to determine the cause and submit a report within five days.Key Takeaways
- Investigation committee established.
- Fire occurred in Kamla Raja Hospital ICU.
- 16 pregnant women were safely evacuated.
- 130 patients transferred to Super Specialty Hospital.
- Old electrical systems may be a contributing factor.
Gwalior, March 17 (NationPress) Gwalior District Magistrate Ruchika Chauhan has established an investigative committee led by Sub Divisional Magistrate Vinod Singh to examine the fire incident that occurred on March 16 at a unit of Kamla Raja Hospital, as confirmed by an official on Monday.
The committee consists of seven members.
It will explore various aspects, including the underlying cause of the fire, and is expected to submit its findings within five days, according to Vinod Singh, who spoke to IANS via phone.
A fire erupted in the intensive care unit adjacent to the labor room of the Gynaecology department at Kamla Raja Hospital (KRH) – part of Jaya Arogya Hospital Gwalior late on Saturday night due to a suspected explosion in an air-conditioner compressor.
The hospital personnel and relatives of the patients promptly broke the ICU windows and relocated 16 pregnant women to safety.
Reports indicate that three air-conditioners in the ward were completely destroyed. Thick black smoke engulfed the ICU, labor room, and surrounding wards, as reported.
Subsequently, more staff arrived, and patients were transferred to the Super Specialty Hospital, which is part of Jaya Arogya Hospital.
By approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, a total of 130 patients had been relocated.
Insiders from the government noted that the structure of KRH is quite old, as is the electrical supply system.
Moreover, the electrical supply network does not align with the increased load over the past few years, which may contribute to recurrent short circuit incidents.
In September 2023, a short circuit occurred in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), resulting in smoke filling the ward and necessitating the transfer of newborns to another floor.
Additionally, in 2024, a fire broke out in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) due to a short circuit.
The quick response of a guard helped control the fire, preventing a major disaster.
Approximately six years ago, a short circuit also took place in SNCU Murar, which was similarly averted thanks to timely action.
