Kanpur: A heartbreaking incident took place in Kanpur’s Bithoor area on Sunday evening when a fire broke out in the NICU ward of Raja Nursing Home, allegedly due to a short circuit in a warmer machine. The fire led to the tragic death of a newborn baby girl, who was severely burnt while undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit.
The incident triggered panic inside the hospital and sparked outrage among family members, who accused the nursing home management of gross negligence.
Fire Caused by Short Circuit in Warmer Machine
According to initial reports, the fire started in the NICU after a short circuit in a warmer machine, quickly filling the hospital with smoke. The newborn baby, admitted in the NICU, reportedly came under the direct impact of the flames and suffered serious burn injuries. She was later declared dead.
Family Alleges Negligence by Hospital Staff
The victim’s father, Arun Nishad, a farmer from Bakarganj village, had brought his wife Shalu to Raja Nursing Home around 2 PM after she experienced labour pain.
Family members alleged that the hospital had demanded ₹25,000 for the operation delivery. At around 3:45 PM, Shalu gave birth to a baby girl through surgery.
However, the family claimed that even after the delivery, hospital staff did not provide any clear information for nearly half an hour. They reportedly came to know about the baby’s birth only through a cleaning worker.
Baby Severely Burnt, Declared Dead Later
Soon after, the fire broke out in the NICU. After repeated questioning, the family was informed that the newborn had been caught in the fire. When they finally saw the child, her face, chest and abdomen were badly burnt, the family alleged.
The hospital staff reportedly rushed the baby to a Children Nursing Home in Kakadeo, but doctors there declared her dead on arrival.
Arun’s sister Ritu Nishad alleged that the baby had already died before being taken to the second hospital, and claimed that the nursing home tried to cover up the incident.
Hospital Owner Unreachable, Tension Escalates
The situation became more tense when the family found the hospital operator’s mobile phone switched off. Enraged relatives protested and created a ruckus inside the hospital premises, demanding strict action against the nursing home management.
Police Begin Investigation
Police arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control. Bithoor Station In-charge Ashok Kumar Saroj confirmed that a written complaint has been received from the family.
He said the body has been sent for post-mortem procedures and further legal action will be taken based on investigation findings. Authorities are now probing the exact cause of the fire and whether the hospital failed to follow safety protocols.
Shock and Anger in the Area
The tragic death of the newborn has sent shockwaves across the locality. Residents and relatives are demanding a thorough inquiry and strict punishment if negligence is proven. The case has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety and medical accountability in private nursing homes.
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