At least 10 people were killed after a fire broke out at a private COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai's Bhandup area in the early hours of Friday.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prashant Kadam, around 22 fire tenders reached the hospital to douse the flames. As many as 76 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the hospital, which is located on the third floor of a mall.
"A level-3 or level-4 fire broke out on the first floor of a mall at 12:30 am. 76 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the hospital. Fire tenders are present at the spot," DCP Kadam told reporters.
Rescue operations are underway, he added.
As per the statement given by the hospital administration, "The hospital was started in exceptional circumstances of covid-19 and it was functioning with all due compliances like fire licence nursing home licence etc. It also stated that 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.
Speaking about the incident earlier today, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar said, "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 ascertain the cause of the fire." Further details are awaited.
