Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Muzaffarpur, June 4: Fire tragedy has struck, this time in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, where a blaze in the ICU ward of a private hospital has claimed the lives of four patients. The incident occurred at Prasad Hospital, located under Brahmpura police station limits, on the fifth floor intensive care unit (ICU). The fire was reported to the fire department around 3:55 AM on Thursday.

Soon after receiving the alert, police and fire brigade teams rushed to the hospital. Around 20 patients were rescued from the ICU, while the remaining patients were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. District Magistrate Subrata Kumar Sen stated that there were 13 patients in the ICU and some others in the CCU. Four patients died in the incident, and an investigation has been ordered, with strict action promised against those found responsible.

SSP Kantesh Mishra, the incident occurred between 3:00 AM and 4:45 AM, and it is suspected that the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the ICU. He added that the fire was brought under control immediately, but around 12–13 patients had to be shifted to different hospitals for treatment.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the hospital fire. In his condolence message, he described the deaths of four people in the Muzaffarpur private hospital fire as extremely tragic and extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. He prayed for peace to the departed souls and strength for the families to cope with the loss. The government has announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The local administration remains on high alert, and proper medical arrangements have been made in district hospitals for the treatment of the injured.