A short-circuit in the meter box of the ICU unit of the hospital — Prime Criticare, a non-Covid facility located at Shimla Park, on old Mumbai-Pune road at Kausa in Mumbra lead to the unfortunate death of 4 patients.

There were a total of 20 patients admitted to the ICU at the time of the mishap. Sadiq Engineer who was the ward boy first spotted the fire in a cabin near the meter room. He tried to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher, but failed, and raised alarm. The nearby residents broke open the grille and glass windows to rescue patients.

The local residents and fire officials were able to rescue 16 patients. Four others admitted in the ICU ward succumbed; two of them expired while being shifted. The rescued patients were rushed to the nearby Bilal and Kalsekar hospitals in Mumbra.

Chief fire officer Girish Zalke said the hospital had recently got its fire audit done. Another fire officer said that two months ago they had served that notice to install proper fire compliance.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced Rs 5 lakh for the family of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for each person injured in the fire incident. TMC deputy municipal commissioner Joshi said that the civic body has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased.