Bhopal hospital where 4 infants died didn't receive fire NOC in 15 years: Reports

The Bhopal hospital in which four infants had died after a fire broke out in the ICU late on Monday had not been granted a fire NOC (no objection certificate) for the past 15 years, sources told News18. The Kamala Nehru Hospital had not received the crucial fire safety clearance from the Bhopal Municipal Corporation for the past 15 years, the sources added.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has meanwhile ordered a fire safety audit of all hospitals in Madhya Pradesh and a high-level probe following the incident. The CM has also announced a Rs 4 lakh compensation for the deceased’s kin.

The state's Medical Education Minister Vishvas Sarang said the matter is currently being probed. Sarang had earlier explained that a short-circuit may have caused the fire and described the situation inside the ward as 'very scary'.


According to an official, the blaze started on the third floor of the hospital, which houses the ICU, with around 10 fire tenders at the location to douse the flames.

Kamla Nehru Children’s Hospital is part of Hamidia Hospital, one of the biggest government medical facilities in the state.

Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Kamal Nath termed the incident 'very painful' and demanded stern action against those responsible.

Last week, 11 coronavirus patients were killed after a major fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the district civil hospital in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar city. The blaze erupted around 11 am in the ICU ward where 17 Covid-19 patients, many of them senior citizens and some on ventilator or oxygen, were undergoing treatment.

(With PTI inputs)