Bihar govt suspends hospital licence after ICU fire kills six in Muzaffarpur

Authorities suspended Prasad Hospital's licence and issued a show-cause notice after the ICU fire in Muzaffarpur killed six patients. The action followed allegations of safety lapses and widened scrutiny of fire compliance at private hospitals.

In Short

• Hospital management has been asked to explain the tragedy within seven days
• Preliminary findings indicate alleged safety lapses and negligence by administrators
• A suspected short circuit filled the ICU with smoke, hindering evacuation

Authorities have suspended the licence of Prasad Hospital in Bihar's Muzaffarpur following the deadly ICU fire that claimed six lives, while issuing a show-cause notice to the hospital management seeking an explanation within seven days.

The action was taken by the district health authorities after a preliminary assessment pointed to alleged lapses in safety measures and negligence on the part of the hospital administration. The suspension comes a day after a devastating fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital, triggering panic and leading to multiple casualties.

According to an order issued by the Civil Surgeon's office, the hospital's registration has been suspended with immediate effect. The hospital management has been directed to submit a detailed reply along with relevant documents and evidence explaining the circumstances that led to the tragedy.

Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirmed the action and said the hospital had been served a show-cause notice. He stated that authorities would examine the hospital's response before deciding on further action.

DETAILED INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY

The fire broke out in the ICU early on Thursday morning. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, although the exact cause is yet to be officially established. Thick smoke rapidly spread through the ICU and adjoining areas, making evacuation difficult for critically ill patients.

Six patients lost their lives in the incident, while several others suffered injuries and were shifted to hospitals across the city for treatment. Some of the rescued patients remain in critical condition, officials said.

The tragedy sparked outrage among victims' families and local residents, many of whom accused the hospital administration of negligence and inadequate safety arrangements. Relatives of some patients also alleged that there was confusion during the rescue operation and that information about admitted patients was not readily available.

Meanwhile, police have arrested three hospital employees as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities are examining whether safety norms, fire prevention protocols and emergency response measures were properly followed at the facility.

Officials said a detailed inquiry is underway, and further legal action could be initiated against the hospital management and those found responsible once the investigation report is submitted. The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety compliance in private healthcare facilities across the state.

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