7 newborns die in fire at Delhi children’s hospital; LG orders probe

At least seven infants lost their lives in a fire that broke out at a children’s hospital in east Delhi area late night on May 25.

According to Delhi Fire Services, 16 fire tenders were rushed to the site after they got a call about a fire at 11.32 pm at a baby care center in the Vivek Vihar area in East Delhi, as reported by NDTV.

The swift response of DFS led to the rescue of 12 newborns and were shifted to East Delhi Advance NICU hospital for further treatment and care.

The fire also affected adjacent buildings as the oxygen cylinders kept in the two-story building exploded. Following the tragic incident, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena have ordered probe.

The actual cause of fire is not known, however, the fire spread too fast due to a blast in an oxygen cylinder, officials said. The rescue efforts were also slowed by limited access to the building, which has a single staircase and no fire escape, they said.

The LG has asked the chief secretary to setup an inquiry into the unfortunate incident, while Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj asked officials to speed up the investigation.

In a post on X, Saxena said, “Have asked the chief secretary to institute an inquiry into the tragic incidents of fire in children's hospital in Delhi. Also instructed CP (commissioner of police) to ensure all that is needful."

Meanwhile, Delhi police on Sunday apprehended the owner of Baby Care New Born Hospital in Shahdara, Dr Naveen Khichi, who had fled to Jaipur soon after the incident. Khichi, who is said to own several hospitals in Delhi has been booked under sections 336 (act endangering life of personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC at Vivek Vihar police station. 

Reportedly, the owner of the hospital has history of criminal negligence and in 2021, his hospital was not registered under the Delhi Nursing Home Act, a Mint report said.

Reacting to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said: “This incident of fire in a children’s hospital is heartbreaking. We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident. Government and administration officials are busy providing treatment to the injured at the spot. The causes of the incident are being investigated and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several other leaders also expressed grief over the incident.