Delhi: 7 babies killed in fire at children's hospital
What's the story
Seven newborns were killed and several injured after a massive fire broke out at the Baby Care New Born Hospital in Delhi's Vivek Vihar area on Saturday night. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Choudhary stated that 12 newborn babies were rescued from the hospital, of which seven died. The rest were shifted to East Delhi Advance NICU Hospital in Vivek Vihar for treatment.
Emergency response
Swift response to fire incident at Delhi hospital
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received a distress call about the fire at 11:32pm, following which nine fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the scene. "Two buildings were affected by the fire, one is the hospital building and 2 floors of a residential building on the right side also caught fire...11-12 people were rescued and they were taken to hospital," Fire Officer Rajesh told ANI.
Twitter Post
Visuals outside the hospital
#WATCH | Delhi: Morning visuals from a newborn Baby Care Hospital in Vivek Vihar where a massive fire broke out last night claiming the lives of 6 newborn babies.
— ANI (@ANI) May 26, 2024
One newborn baby is on the ventilator and 5 others are admitted to a hospital. pic.twitter.com/cLvIUWIx9e
Ongoing investigation
Investigation and legal action follow tragic fire
The cause of the devastating fire remains unknown at this time. DFS Chief Atul Garg noted that several oxygen cylinders inside the hospital burst in the blaze, but it is unclear if this contributed to starting or spreading the fire. The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Naveen Kichi, the owner of the hospital, under sections 336, 304A, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Gujarat
27 killed in fire in Rajkot
The fire incident in Delhi came on the same day another similar tragedy claimed the lives of 27 people, including nine children. The fire broke out at the TRP game zone in Gujarat's Rajkot on Saturday afternoon. "The bodies are completely charred and it is difficult to identify them," Assistant Commissioner of Police Vinayak Patel said.