A devastating fire swept through a neonatal intensive care unit at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College, located about 285 kilometers southwest of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India, killing 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others. Authorities reported the incident occurred late on Friday, November 15, and involved a rapid outbreak of flames inside the facility. At the time of the fire, the neonatal unit was housing 49 infants, with emergency responders managing to rescue 38 babies from the ward.
State Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated, "Seventeen of the injured are receiving treatment in different wings and some private hospitals." Out of the ten deceased infants, seven have been identified, with efforts underway to recognize the remaining three. Shockingly, one infant remains unaccounted for.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, referring to the tragedy as “heart-wrenching.” He posted, "My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss." The Uttar Pradesh government is conducting inquiries to identify potential causes and lapses leading up to the fire, as eyewitnesses and officials reported inadequate fire safety measures.
Eyewitness accounts indicate the fire started suddenly, engulfing the room and creating thick smoke. Rescuers reportedly had difficulty accessing the interior of the building, as they were forced to break windows to get to the newborns. According to reports, the hospital's fire safety systems were last inspected back in February and had undergone drills for safety protocols earlier this year, but many families are now questioning the effectiveness of these measures.
During the rescue efforts, parents gathered outside the facility, distraught and demanding explanations as to how such tragedy could occur. Some expressed their frustration over the fire alarms not activating during the emergency, aggravting their feelings of helplessness and despair. Naresh Kumar, one such parent, lamented, “If the safety alarm had worked, we could have acted sooner and saved more lives.”
Local hospital workers corroborated these claims, acknowledging the presence of fire alarms and safety measures, but highlighting their ineffective operation at the time of the fire. Others voiced concerns over the adequacy of safety checks and equipment, blaming poor maintenance for this harrowing event.
Fire incidents are unfortunately common within India, where lax building codes and fire safety regulations often lead to devastating consequences. Experts highlight how poor infrastructure and lack of emergency preparation exacerbate such accidents, emphasizing the recurring tragedies associated with substandard safety compliance.
Following this heart-wrenching incident, Deputy Chief Minister Pathak assured the families impacted by the tragedy, stating, “We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time.” Authorities plan to conduct DNA tests on the deceased infants to facilitate the process of handing their remains back to distraught parents.
The incident has ignited public outrage over the persistent issue of fire safety and emergency preparedness within hospitals across India. Regulations exist on paper, but ensuring their implementation often falls short, leading to grave disasters like this. Compounding the emotional toll are the systemic failures to protect the most vulnerable members of society, calling for urgent reforms across healthcare facilities to prevent similar heart-wrenching events from happening again.
