Sun Oct 05 19:28:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:
**Headline: Youth Congress Leader Alleges Arson in Hospital Fire, Cites Negligence**
**Kozhikode, India – October 6, 2025** – A prominent Youth Congress leader is alleging that the devastating fire at the Government Medical College Hospital’s PMSSY block in May was a deliberate act, fueled by systemic negligence and building code violations. V.P. Dulkhifil, State general secretary of the Youth Congress and a Kozhikode District Panchayat member, cited a leaked inquiry report indicating severe safety oversights that contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.
Dulkhifil claims the fire, which occurred on May 2nd, 2025, was “man-made” due to structural problems within the PMSSY block. He stated that the report, prepared by Sub-Collector Harshil R. Meena and submitted to higher authorities in May, revealed that critical safety clearances, including an occupancy certificate and fire safety no-objection certificate, were not obtained despite warnings issued by the district collector as early as May 27, 2024.
The report highlights that the UPS room, where the fire originated, was a later alteration to the original building plan, created by modifying designated OP and preparation rooms. This modification was allegedly done without securing revised fire safety sanction.
The inquiry also reportedly revealed that the UPS room was not connected to the building’s management system and lacked adequate artificial ventilation, falling short of National Building Code, 2016, standards.
According to the report cited by Dulkhifil, the last maintenance on the UPS and battery system was performed on November 12, 2024. The batteries were over three years old, and one was weak, yet a recommended replacement was never implemented.
The report also indicated that the panic-stricken hospital staff may have made the spread of the fire worse by breaking the glass panel of the UPS room, allowing smoke to spread to other areas. The report claimed that the smoke could have been contained for a longer time if the door was not broken.
The allegations come amid growing concerns about hospital safety standards in the region. Authorities have yet to officially comment on the leaked report or the Youth Congress leader’s claims. The investigation is ongoing.
First Piper 