At least three patients lost their lives after a massive fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in the early hours of Thursday. The blaze triggered panic among patients, attendants, and hospital staff, while rescue teams rushed to evacuate those trapped inside the building.
According to officials, the fire erupted in the ICU located on the fifth floor of the private hospital. Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have caused the fire, although authorities have said the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation. Thick smoke quickly spread through the ward, making evacuation difficult and increasing the risk to critically ill patients receiving treatment.
Firefighters and emergency personnel reached the hospital soon after receiving information about the incident. Rescue teams broke open doors and windows to gain access to affected areas and safely evacuate patients. Several injured and critically ill patients were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. District authorities confirmed that multiple patients sustained injuries, with some remaining in critical condition.
The death toll has varied across initial reports, with some media outlets confirming three deaths while others later reported four or more fatalities as rescue and identification efforts continued. Officials have stated that the situation remains under assessment and that casualty figures could be revised as investigations progress.
The incident has sparked anger among relatives of patients, some of whom alleged that the hospital's emergency response was inadequate. Certain family members claimed that staff members were slow to react or left the area as the fire spread. These allegations have not yet been independently verified, but authorities are expected to examine the hospital's safety procedures as part of the inquiry.
Bihar government officials have expressed condolences to the families of the victims and assured strict action if any negligence is found. A formal investigation has been launched to determine whether fire safety norms were followed and whether the hospital had adequate emergency preparedness measures in place.
The tragedy has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in healthcare facilities across India, particularly in critical care units where patients often have limited ability to evacuate during emergencies.
