A major fire broke out at a private COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai’s Bhandup area on Thursday and Friday night. Thick smoke fumes entered Dreams Mall Sunrise Hospital on the third floor when the fire broke out at around 12:30 a.m. While several patients were moved out at midnight to Jumbo Covid Centre and some to other private hospitals, ten patients tragically lost their lives in the fire.
Twenty-two fire engines were rushed to the spot. More than 70 patients positive with coronavirus had been admitted to the hospital previously, being treated for the virus and they were immediately shifted to another hospital.
While the fire started on the first floor of Dreams Mall, Bhandup, thick fumes spiraled up to Sunrise Hospital located on the third floor. When the fire alarms set off, the patients were able to be safely evacuated because of the smoke triggering the alarms beeping and moved to the fire refuge area.
Two dead bodies (due to COVID-19), were also evacuated.
The Sunrise Hospital said in a statement, “All patients were promptly shifted to to Jumbo Covid Centre (and some to other private hospitals). We are grateful to Mumbai fire brigade and to Mumbai Police for helping us save lives. This hospital was started in exceptional circumstances of Covid last year and has helped in saving many patients from Covid deaths. It is functioning with all due compliances like fire license, nursing home license. The hospital staff did a fantastic job in safely evacuating patients on wheelchairs and beds to the refuge areas and by following the fire drills,” it added.
Presently, there is a massive upsurge in Covid cases in Mumbai with 5,504 new infections recorded on Thursday.
Sources state that the negligence of the hospital management has come to light.
Mumbai Police Commissioner said, “We will register a case on fire at Sunrise Hospital.”
Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar had told ANI, “This is the first time I have seen a hospital in a mall. This is a very serious situation. Seven patients were on ventilators. 70 patients have been taken to another hospital. There will be an investigation to confirm the cause of the fire.”
Assuring action, Chief Minister of Maharasthra, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray said: “I want to assure you that whoever is at fault, they will be punished. Firefighters did a great job in rescuing people. However, some people who were on ventilators could not be rescued. I seek forgiveness from their families,” the Chief Minister added. The state has announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh for the affected families.
A citizen video’d the fire and shared it:
Also Read: Massive Landslide at Jammu-Srinagar
Heavy fire breakout in #Bhandup #BhandupFire #mumbai #MumbaiFire #MumbaiCity pic.twitter.com/6U3N1fVtJs
— #Stay_Home #Stay_Safe ?? (@imAnkeshanand) March 26, 2021
