7 Infants Killed As Massive Fire Erupts At Baby Care Hospital In Delhi, CM Kejriwal Reacts

A massive fire broke out in an infant care hospital, and 6 babies died of the 12 newborns that were rescued in Delhi's Vivek Vihar.

Seven newborns tragically died after a massive fire broke out at an infant care hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar on Saturday night. According to an ANI report, upon receiving the information, police and 16 fire tenders reached New Born Baby Care Hospital, and doused the fire completely, which helped them to rescue the 12 infants who were rushed to another hospital. 

A fire official said that around 11:32 PM, the Fire Service Control Room received the information that a fire had broken out at a hospital, and 16 tenders were pressed to service. He said that two buildings were affected — the hospital and 2 floors of a residential building on the right of the hospital where the fire had spread. 

"At 11:32 pm, Fire Service Control Room received information that fire broke out at a hospital...total of 16 fire tenders reached the spot and fire has been extinguished completely, said Fire Officer Rajesh. "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. Further details will be shared later," he added. 

Speaking to news agency ANI, Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said, "It was a very tough operation. We made two teams. One team started firefighting because there was a blast of cylinders, we can say the chain of blast of cylinders. So we had to save ourselves also." 

"We started rescue operations for babies as well. Unfortunately, we could not save all the children. We removed all the twelve babies to the hospital. But after arrival, they declared that 6 were dead. That is a regrettable incident...," he added. 

The rescued newborns were rushed to East Delhi’s Advance Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) hospital. One of the babies is currently on a ventilator while the rest are still at the hospital. 

CM Arvind Kejriwal, Minister React

Reacting to the incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the reasons for the accident are under probe and those responsible for negligence will not be spared. 

In a social media post on X, 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." 

Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also said that strict action will be taken so that none of the officials commit such negligence in future. "We are with the families who have lost their babies. I'll talk to the DCP regarding this that the prosecution to be launched on the owners as soon as possible," he added.