Hospital fire claims infant's life

Hyderabad: In a tragic fire accident in a 25-bed Shine Children's Hospital in LB Nagar on Monday, a three-month-old baby died while four others reportedly suffered injuries and are undergoing treatment in other private hospitals. Of them, two are believed to be critical.

Although the news spread that fire broke out due to short-circuit in refrigerator placed in ICU, officials did not confirm it and said that they are investigating the cause of fire. Locals, however, stated that they heard a blast around 3 am after which the third floor was engulfed in flames.

Fire tenders from Hayatnagar rushed to the spot and doused the flames to bring the situation under control. Relatives and attendants of the patients staged a protest in front of the hospital from 5 am onwards.

However, no one from the hospital management visited the place post the incident. When officials tried to contact them over phones, they were not accessible.

Probe ordered

Health Minister Eatala Rajender, who was touring Warangal, reviewed the incident and ordered for a report to be submitted within 24 hours.

After Minister's instructions for a detailed report, Director (Public Health) appointed Dr Ravindar Naik, Additional Director (Leprosy) to submit enquiry report.

The enquiry team visited the hospital, but could give only a preliminary report as three floors of the hospital were locked by police citing law and order issues.