A massive fire broke out at New life Multispeciality Hospital near Damoh Naka in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, killing atleast eight people and leaving five severaly injured. The blaze was brought under control in an hour. Police said that the fire appeared to have been caused due to a short circuit.
Jabalpur Collector Dr Ilayaraja T said four patients, a caregiver and three staffers of New Life Multi-speciality Hospital died in the fire, PTI reported. The collector said there were 20 to 25 people in the hospital when the blaze started.
Jabalpur SP Siddharth Bahuguna said the fire possibly broke out due to short circuit during changeover of electricity supply from the generator after a power cut, IANS reported. The fire broke out on the ground floor of the hospital around 4.30 pm, and engulfed the entire three-storey building.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan asked the Jabalpur divisional commissioner to start an inquiry into the tragedy.
Chouhan also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of the four people who lost their lives. He also announced an assistance of Rs 50,000 for the severely injured. The government will bear the treatment expenses of the injured.
"Heart is saddened by the news of the untimely demise of precious lives in the fire accident at New Life Hospital, Jabalpur. I pray to God to give peace to the departed souls and strength to the families to bear this deep loss and speedy recovery of the injured," Chouhan said.
"This is a very painful incident. I pray for peace of the departed souls and wish a speedy recovery to those injured in the fire," said former MP CM Kamal Nath.