A terrible fire broke out in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday night. Sadly, 11 babies lost their lives in the fire. Even though it was dangerous, a nurse named Megha James bravely saved more than 12 babies with the support of other hospital staff.

Nurse Megha James’ patience and bravery save babies

Megha James said that the fire started when she went to get a syringe for a child. When she came back, she saw that the oxygen concentrator had caught fire. She called the ward boy, who brought a fire extinguisher to try and stop the fire. However, the fire had already spread by then.

During her brave rescue efforts, Megha’s footwear and salwar caught fire. "My chappal caught fire, and I burnt my foot. Then my salwar caught fire. I removed my salwar and discarded it," she said. Without worrying about her safety, Megha wore another salwar and continued rescuing the babies.

She believes more lives could have been saved if there had been no electricity cut. "There was a lot of smoke, and once the lights went out, we could not see anything. The entire staff brought out at least 14–15 children. There were 11 beds in the ward with 23–24 babies," Megha added.

Hospital staff risk their lives

Assistant Nursing Superintendent Nalini Sood praised Megha's bravery. She said that the staff broke the glass windows of the NICU ward to get the babies out. Sood added, "Instead of caring for her safety, she stayed there to rescue the babies and handed them over to people outside."

Videos from the hospital showed scared patients being taken out with the help of police and hospital staff. Megha James is now getting treatment for her injuries at the same medical college. This heroic act shows how dedicated hospital staff risk their lives to save others, even in the most dangerous situations.