World · India Bureau
Amravati hospital fire leaves parents questioning safety systems
A devastating fire at a hospital ward in Amravati has left relatives of admitted children traumatised, with accounts of infants covered in ash and concerns raised over non-functional fire suppression equipment.
LSN India ·
Parents of children admitted to the ward have described harrowing scenes following the fire outbreak, with some recalling the distressing sight of infants covered in black ash. The incident has sparked serious questions about emergency preparedness and safety infrastructure at the medical facility.
Families of patients have alleged that the ward's water spray system, a critical component of fire safety protocols, failed to activate when the fire began. According to relatives, the sprinkler system should have been triggered automatically or manually deployed immediately upon detection of the blaze, but reportedly remained non-functional during the emergency.
The allegations have raised concerns about whether the hospital adhered to fire safety standards and maintenance schedules for critical safety equipment. Such systems are essential in healthcare facilities, particularly in wards housing vulnerable patients including children.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in fire safety compliance at some medical institutions across India. Authorities are expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the fire and the failure of safety systems, with implications for hospital safety audits and regulatory oversight.