No word yet on cause of Bhandara hospital fire that claimed 10 babies

Bhandara: Even over nine hours after the fire that claimed the lives of 10 newborn babies at the Bhandara district general hospital, the hospital administration as well as the district authorities are yet to confirm the cause of the fire in the Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU).
Media was barred from talking to the aggrieved parents while unconfirmed reports claim the bodies have been handed over to them.Some were from Tumasar, Sakoli, Mohadi. It couldn’t be confirmed as authorities refused to answer TOI questions. Lot of police personnel have been deployed on the premises.
Refusing to give any exact cause of the incident, state relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar who reached the hospital at 11.15am, said a team of NFSC and VNIT would be asked to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the fire trigger.
He said in the next cabinet meeting the issue of fire safety at all government hospitals would be taken up. The minister also said the civil surgeon has informed him that a proposal of Rs1.51 crore is pending with the government for installation of fire equipment. The building was inaugurated in 2016 allegedly without any fire compliance.
The fire had broken out at around 2am on Saturday. Seven other babies were rescued by the on-duty staff.
Civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate told TOI that three to four babies were charred to death while the rest of the casualties happened as oxygen supply was cut.
No staffer from hospital was injured, indicating none was present in the ward when the fire broke out. According to chief fire officer of Nagpur and PWD officials, the fire wouldn’t have spread to such an extent had anyone been present in the ward.
Former Maharashtra energy minister Chandrasekhar Bawankule, who is at the spot since morning, said the bodies were at the mortuary and he met the parents around 10am. “Rs1.52 crore were needed for fire safety equipment at the hospital. Lack of electrical fittings and safety took the toll,” he claimed.
This had been brought to the notice of government, he said, and demanded an inquiry be completed in seven days.
“Principal secretary, deputy director of health services and civil surgeon were aware of this proposal as early as May 8, 2020,” said Bawankule and demanded higher authorities must be held responsible.
FIR must be filed against the guilty official, he said.
Special team of experts has been formed to conduct the post-mortem. The entire process would be videographed, said sources. PWD electrical department too has been asked to form special team to conduct inquiry. The report has been demanded by police.
Former energy minister Chandrasekhar Bawankule,who is at the spot since morning, said the bodies were at the mortuaries and he met the wailing parents around 10am.
"₹1.52cr were needed for fire safety equipment at the hospital. Lack of Electrical fittings and safety took the toll," he claimed.
This was brought to the notice of government he said demanding an inquiry be completed in seven days.
Meanwhile ₹5lakh compensation has been announced for the families of deceased.
" Principal secretary, Deputy director of health services and civil surgeon were aware of this proposal as early as May 8, 2020,"he said and demanded High authorities must be held responsible.
FIR must be filed against the guilty official, he said.