Six people died in a fire in a private hospital in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. All were found unconscious in the lift of the hospital. The deceased include a minor.
A fire broke out in the reception area of Orthopedic Care City Hospital located on Trichy Road, which spread to the entire building. There were more than 30 patients in the hospital at the time of the incident.
According to the police, a rescue operation was carried out as soon as information about the fire incident was received. The patients were shifted to nearby hospitals in 10 ambulances.
The police said that all the people found in the lift were taken to the district hospital. They had suffocated to death, police and fire officials said. The treatment of other patients is going on in the hospital.
More than three fire engines were deployed to rescue patients trapped inside the hospital in the Gandhi Nagar area near the Dindigul-Trichy highway, a senior official said.
According to Dindigul District Collector MN Poongodi, the patients have been rescued and admitted to other hospitals.
“A fire broke out at a private hospital. The patients here have been rescued and admitted to nearby government and private hospitals,” the District Collector said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the death of victims and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the next of kin.
The CM expressed his sympathies with the families of the victims that included a minor. Two other deceased persons hailed from Theni district.
He also extended assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to those under treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) with serious injuries and Rs 50,000 to persons with simple injuries.
The CM further said he has directed that the best medical treatment be provided to those admitted in nearby government and private hospitals.
Official sources in Dinidgul said three persons were currently under treatment in ICU.
