Jhansi: A deadly fire broke out at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, on Friday night, claiming the lives of at least 10 children and injuring several others. According to a senior police official of the Uttar Pradesh police, the preliminary inquiry revealed that prima facie the fire broke out due to a short circuit inside the children’s ward at the hospital. However, the police are investigating the fire incident to ascertain the right cause of the fire.

It is being said that 54 children were admitted to the hospital when the fire broke out. Of them, 10 children have been declared dead, while several others are undergoing treatment.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the incident and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. As per reports, the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner have been assigned to investigate the fire incident and submit the report in 12 days.

According to the Jhansi police, the fire erupted at around 10.45 pm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), possibly due to an electrical short circuit. It is being claimed that at least 54 children were present inside the ward when the fire broke out.

Jhansi District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar confirmed the deaths of 10 children and reported that the children in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some from the interior. However, the toll may rise as the rescue operation continues.

The fire brigade and senior district officials rushed to the scene and initiated a rescue operation at the site. Several visuals showed patients and caretakers being evacuated amidst chaos at the hospital in Jhansi.

CM Yogi directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured and wished for their speedy recovery. He also dispatched Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, the state’s health minister, and the principal secretary of health to Jhansi. The chief minister has demanded a report on the incident within 12 hours.

The people have raised concerns about the safety measures in place at the medical college.