The Delhi Police arrested Naveen Kichi, the owner of Baby Care New Born children’s Hospital, after a devastating fire claimed the lives of seven newborns late Saturday night in East Delhi’s Vivek Vihar.
The fire erupted around 11:30 pm and rapidly engulfed the private children’s hospital, spreading to two adjacent buildings. Despite the efforts of 16 fire tenders, the blaze was not contained in time to prevent the tragic loss of life.
The two-storey hospital building, which was equipped with oxygen cylinders, saw several explosions due to the intense heat, further exacerbating the damage. The fire also affected two nearby boutiques, part of an IndusInd Bank, a ground-floor shop, an ambulance, and a scooter parked outside.
Delhi Fire Services (DFS) chief Atul Garg reported that 12 newborns were rescued from the inferno, but seven tragically succumbed to their injuries. The surviving infants are receiving treatment at another hospital, with some suffering from minor burns. The bodies of the deceased have been sent to GTB Hospital for postmortem examinations.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her heartfelt condolences to the grieving parents. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj assured the public that those found negligent would face severe consequences. Kejriwal also pledged government support for the affected families and proper treatment for the injured.
The Delhi Fire Services officials indicated that the hospital lacked adequate fire safety measures, contributing to the severity of the incident. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, with authorities focusing on potential lapses in safety protocols.
This tragic incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations in healthcare facilities across Delhi. The government has announced an immediate review of such protocols to prevent future occurrences of similar tragedies.
