Six people died and several were injured after a massive fire broke out inside a government run hospital in Andheri East, Mumbai, around 4 P.M., on Monday.
A total of 157 people were evacuated immediately after the fire broke out inside the Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Kamgar Hospital, Marol, Andheri East. The patients were rushed to different hospitals across the city, including Cooper Hospital, Hiranandani Hospital, Seven Hills Hospital and Holy Spirit Hospital.
The six people who died, including a 5 month old baby, are yet to be identified. At least 21 people, including 5 babies, are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.
According to sources, the fire broke out on the ground floor of the ESIC Kamgar Hospital, around 4:00 P.M., and spread to the upper floors of the five storey building. Approximately 10 fire engines, 6 jumbo tankers, 2 quick rescue vehicles, 3 special appliances and 1 rescue van were called on the spot to extinguish the fire.
R.A. Chaudhary, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said, “The hospital was undertaking some work in its annex building and a lot of rubber sheets were stored in the main building’s ground floor. The sheets caught fire, resulting in a large amount of smoke. The third and fourth floors were the most affected, but there was no fire. The fire fighting equipment was not functional.”
Vishwanath Mahadeshwar, the Mayor of Mumbai, reached the spot to oversee the rescue operations. The fire was extinguished and the rescue operations were completed around 7:35 P.M.
The authorities launched an investigation to confirm what caused the fire.
Deepak Sawant, the Public Health Minister, expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. A compensation will be given to the families of the deceased and the injured.
