1 week ago

Bhopal Hospital Fire Exposes Wider Safety Compliance Gaps

Bhopal Hospital Fire Exposes Wider Safety Compliance Gaps
Fire Safety Lapses Put Thousands At Risk In Major Hospitals In Bhopal · freepressjournal.in

A fire started inside Deepshikha Hospital in Bhopal on Friday night.

Smoke spread through the four-storey building.

About 20 patients were in the hospital, including women who had recently given birth or were receiving maternity care.

Firefighters came because the hospital’s own safety arrangements were not enough.

The hospital had a Fire NOC, but its latest safety audit had not been renewed.

This means important equipment and emergency exits had not been recently checked.

Officials suspect an electrical short circuit may have caused the fire.

The fire has also led officials to examine safety arrangements at other major hospitals.

JP Hospital and two Gandhi Medical College buildings reportedly do not have Fire NOCs.

Key facts

Hospital affected
Deepshikha Hospital, Vidya Nagar, Bhopal
Time of fire
Around 10:15 p.m. on Friday
Patients present
Approximately 20, including women in the delivery ward
Fire clearance
Deepshikha Hospital had a Fire NOC, but its fire safety audit had not been renewed
Response
The Bhopal Municipal Corporation fire department sent a fire tender
Preliminary suspected cause
Short circuit
Other facilities under scrutiny
JP Hospital and two Gandhi Medical College buildings reportedly lack Fire NOCs
Potential firefighting cost
Approximately Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 may be recovered

Sources

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