Mumbai Hospital fire: Death toll rises to 11; over 70 patients evacuated
Earlier, DCP Prashant Kadam said, “Two casualties have been reported in the fire incident. Rescue operation for 76 patients admitted to Covid care hospital is underway.”
FollowMumbai: Death toll rises to eleven in fire at Sunrise Hospital in Dreams Mall at Bhandup West. More than 70 coronavirus patients were moved to safety after a fire broke out last night at a hospital at a mall in Mumbai.
"10 people have died in the fire incident. This is a serious incident. Negligence of hospital management has come to light. We will register a case," earlier Mumbai Police Commissioner had said.
The fire broke out in the mall, located on the Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg in Bhandup West, just before midnight and continued till the wee hours of Friday.
The hospital is situated on the third floor of the five-storeyed mall building and many patients including those being treated for Covid-19 were at the hospital when the fire broke out, the official said.
Reacting to the fire incident, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, “The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. I've seen a hospital at the mall for the first time. Action will be taken. 70 patients, including Covid-infected ones, have been shifted to another hospital.”
In a statement, Sunrise Hospital said: "There was a fire in first floor of Dreams Mall, Bhandup, and the smoke reached up to the Sunrise Hospital located at the top floor. All fire alarms beeped and hence all patients were safely evacuated due to the smoke to the fire refuge area. There were two dead bodies (due to Covid), which were also evacuated. There was no casualty due to fire. (sic)"
"All patients were promptly shifted to Jumbo Covid Centre (and some to other private hospitals). We are grateful to Mumbai fire brigade and to Mumbai Police for helping us save lives. This hospital was started in exceptional circumstances of Covid last year and has helped in saving many patients from Covid deaths. It is functioning with all due compliances like fire license, nursing home licence. The hospital staff did a fantastic job in safely evacuating patients on wheelchairs and beds to the refuge areas and by following the fire drills."
Earlier, DCP Prashant Kadam said, “Two casualties have been reported in the fire incident. Rescue operation for 76 patients admitted to Covid care hospital is underway.”
“There was a fire on first floor of Dreams Mall, Bhandup and the smoke reached the Sunrise Hospital located at the top floor. All fire alarms beeped and hence all patients were safely evacuated due to the smoke to the fire refuge area,” said the hospital in its statement.
The cause of the 'level four' fire (serious emergency call in fire brigade parlance) has not been ascertained yet, the control room sources said.
Around 20 fire engines, 15 water tankers and ambulances were rushed to the spot. Fire fighting operation is underway, the official said.
The incident comes at a time when India's financial capital is yet again seeing an upsurge in Covid cases. On Thursday, the city logged 5,504 new infections to post a new high.
