13 died in another hospital fire in Virar

In another horrendous incident at least 13 Covid-19 patients who were taking health services in Intensive Care Unit died and 21 other patients in hospital were rushed out after a fire broke out in the air conditioning unit of Vijay Vallabh hospital in Virar, north of Mumbai, at 3 am on Friday.

The fire started in the air conditioning unit of the hospital’s ICU. There were 17 patients in the ICU at that time. “The incident occurred after 3 am and within 5 mins Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation fire brigade reached the spot. The fire was put out within minutes, but 13 of the 17 patients had died by then,” said deputy commissioner Kishore Gavas.

By morning, 21 patients were moved to nearby hospitals. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of the patients who died and Rs 1 lakh each to the critically injured patients.

Sadanand Date, police commissioner, Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar (MBVV) said, “I have asked our crime branch officials to investigate the matter.”

”We will take appropriate action based on our findings” Date informed.

The fire was doused by 3.45 am but cooling operations continue.