Sun Nov 17 17:24:30 UTC 2024: ## Jhansi Hospital Fire Ruled Accidental, Lack of Sprinklers Cited

**Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh –** A two-member committee investigating the devastating fire at Jhansi’s Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, which claimed the lives of 11 newborns, has concluded the blaze was accidental, caused by a short circuit in the switchboard. The report, released by the committee comprising Jhansi commissioner Vipul Dubey and DIG Range Kalanidhi Nathani, states there is no evidence of criminal conspiracy or negligence.

The fire, which broke out around 10:45 pm Friday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), rapidly spread due to the absence of sprinklers in the ward. Hospital staff explained to the committee that sprinklers were not installed due to the presence of newborns. Attempts to extinguish the fire with available extinguishers proved unsuccessful as the flames quickly engulfed the oxygen concentrator. One nurse suffered leg burns while trying to rescue the infants.

While a detailed report is pending, the initial findings highlight a critical lack of fire safety measures. Separately, a four-member committee from the Uttar Pradesh health department has been formed and tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within seven days. This second investigation will further examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, including eyewitness accounts alleging expired fire extinguishers and faulty alarms. These claims are currently being disputed by the hospital.

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