A devastating fire at a hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar neighbourhood on Saturday resulted in the deaths of seven newborns. Authorities have revealed that the hospital was operating without a valid licence and lacked essential fire safety measures, including fire extinguishers and an emergency exit.
The fire, which has left the community in shock and anger, led to the arrest of the hospital owner, Dr. Naveen Kichi, and Dr. Akash, the attending doctor at the time. Both have been charged with culpable homicide. Investigations have shown that Dr. Akash was not qualified to treat newborns requiring intensive care.
Police Commissioner Shahdara Surendra Chaudhary disclosed that the hospital’s No Objection Certificate (NOC), which certifies compliance with fire safety standards, had expired on March 31. Additionally, the hospital was authorized for only five beds but had illegally installed ten. At the time of the fire, twelve newborns were present in the facility, with five currently receiving treatment at another hospital.
Delhi’s fire department director, Atul Garg, reported that the fire spread rapidly due to a blast in an oxygen cylinder. Media reports suggest the possibility of the hospital being involved in an illegal oxygen cylinder filling racket, which is under investigation following locals’ reports of suspicious activities.
Rescue operations were hampered by the building’s limited access, featuring only a single staircase and no fire escape. This incident follows another tragic fire in Gujarat state’s Rajkot city, where a blaze in a gaming arcade claimed 27 lives.
The Delhi government has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has assured the public that those responsible for this negligence will face strict action. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing the tragedy as “heart-rending,” and announced an ex gratia payment of 200,000 rupees to the families of each deceased and 50,000 rupees to those injured.