MUMBAI HOSPITAL FIRE; 8 killed, 176 injured

The toll in the Mumbai hospital fire has risen to 8, with the death of 2 more people today morning. An officer from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Disaster Management Unit informed that “In total 176 persons, including 3 firemen are now being treated in the city hospitals”. Among those injured, 25 are said to be in a very critical condition.

Rescue personnel managed to save 147 people on 17 December from the ESIC Kamgar Hospital located in Andheri. After the incident several patients were moved to Cooper Hospital in Andheri West, Seven Hills Hospital, Jogeshwari trauma hospital, P Thakrey Hospital and Holy Spirit Hospital in Andheri East.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Mumbai V Mahadeshwar said that the cause of the fire is yet to be known. But The Times of India group in its report mentioned that a short circuit in a window AC on the ground floor of the hospital caused fire. An unknown official of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation told that the hospital had not received a NOC from the fire authorities, because of inadequate infrastructure and safety arrangements. The official added, “In fact, 15 days back, we went to the hospital for inspection and gave them a notice”.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer (MIDC) VM Ogale said, “Construction work was in progress on the hospital premises for a new wing since 2009. We had provided a provisional NOC but not a final one. The building does not even have an occupation certificate.”

But Assistant Director of the hospital, Sarika Kakkad claimed that the structure had an occupation certificate as well as a NOC and the portion that doesn’t have the final NOC is not being used.

In the meantime, Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar declared compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of the family or kin of those killed in the fire, according to PTI. Those who are critically injured will be given Rs 2 lakh while those with minor injuries will be paid Rs 1 lakh.