BREAKING: Five Dead, Several Critical After Massive ICU Fire at Muzaffarpur Private Hospital

A devastating fire at a private hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has claimed at least five lives and left more than 15 people injured, triggering widespread concern over patient safety and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities. The incident occurred at around 3:00 AM when a fire reportedly broke out inside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) located on the fifth floor of the hospital building. According to preliminary findings, a suspected short circuit may have sparked the blaze, although authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause. Thick smoke quickly engulfed the ICU, creating panic among patients, attendants, and hospital staff. Firefighters rushed to the scene and carried out a challenging rescue operation that lasted more than an hour. Rescue teams reportedly broke through heavy glass windows and doors to evacuate trapped patients from the smoke-filled ward. Officials confirmed that over 15 patients were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment. Several of the injured remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise further. Disturbing allegations have also emerged from family members of patients, who claim that some hospital staff and doctors abandoned the premises during the emergency. These claims have not yet been officially verified. Police and district administration officials have secured the hospital premises and begun collecting evidence. Investigators are examining whether maintenance failures, electrical faults, or lapses in fire safety protocols contributed to the tragedy. The incident has sparked serious questions about compliance with fire safety regulations in medical institutions. As authorities continue their inquiry, the focus remains on the condition of the survivors and ensuring accountability for one of the region's most tragic hospital fire incidents in recent years.