Team News Riveting
RAIPUR, April 17
Fate willed otherwise for five persons recuperating from COVID infection as they died of combustion after a fire broke out in a city hospital in Raipur on Saturday.
“A fire broke out in the COVID ward of Rajdhani Hospital located at Pachpedi Naka under Tikrapara police station at around 4:30 pm,” District Superintendent of Police Ajay Yadav said. One was charred to death while three others passed away because of suffocation.
The fire was brought under control by the firefighters in around 20 minutes while other patients were evacuated safely, the police official said, adding that prompt action taken by police and firefighters averted a major mishap as 30 patients were present in the ward at the time of the incident.
The fire mishap not only exposed the safety arrangements available in the private hospital here but also underlined the real-time preparedness of the medical unit in dealing with such an emergency situation.
The victims were COVID positive patients. The preliminary investigation suggested that short-circuit in the ward could be the possible reason for the tragic incident. The detailed investigation would reveal the exact cause.
The senior officials of the civil and police administration are camping in the spot to supervise the rescue operation.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had expressed grief over the incident and termed it unfortunate. Baghel announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who died in the tragic incident.
