Key Points
- Massive fire broke out at Lokbandhu Hospital, Lucknow, late Monday night.
- Over 200 patients, including those in ICU and female wards, were safely evacuated.
- Fire suspected to have started due to a short circuit on the second floor.
- Thick smoke and power outage hampered rescue; chaos and panic ensued.
- One patient reportedly died during evacuation; official investigation underway.
- All affected patients shifted to other hospitals; no major injuries reported.
Lucknow: A massive fire erupted at the government-run Lokbandhu Hospital in Lucknow’s Ashiana area around 9:30 pm on Monday, sending shockwaves through the city and triggering a large-scale emergency response. The blaze, which reportedly began on the second floor near the ICU and female medicine ward, quickly engulfed the area, filling the hospital with thick, suffocating smoke and plunging it into darkness after the power supply was cut as a safety measure.
Chaos and Heroic Rescue Efforts
At the time of the incident, approximately 55 patients were present in the affected ICU and female medicine wards, with the total number of patients in the hospital exceeding 200. As the fire spread, panic gripped patients, attendants, and staff. Screams echoed through the corridors as doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, joined by local police and firefighters, rushed to evacuate everyone. Many used torches and mobile phone lights to guide patients through the smoke-filled, darkened wards.
Despite the chaos, the hospital team, supported by a 20-member SDRF unit and six fire tenders, managed to safely evacuate over 200 patients, including those in critical care. The evacuation was complicated by the fire brigade’s main vehicle getting stuck at the hospital’s narrow main gate, forcing smaller vehicles to be deployed through an alternate entrance.
Patients Shifted, One Fatality Reported
All evacuated patients were promptly shifted to nearby medical facilities, including Civil, Balrampur, KGMU, and Lohia hospitals, where they received continued care. The health department was placed on high alert, and senior officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and District Magistrate Vishak G, rushed to the scene to oversee rescue and relief operations.
While most patients were reported safe, there were conflicting reports regarding casualties. Official statements from hospital and government authorities indicated no major injuries or deaths; however, some sources reported that one patient, Rajkumar Prajapati (61), died during evacuation, allegedly due to oxygen supply disruption following the power cut.
Cause and Aftermath
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely caused by a short circuit in the women’s medicine and emergency ward, but a detailed inquiry is ongoing. The fire was brought under control within a few hours, though smoke lingered in parts of the hospital well into the night.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognizance of the incident, directing officials to ensure all affected patients received urgent medical attention and ordering a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
Community Response
The incident highlighted both the vulnerability of hospital infrastructure to electrical hazards and the extraordinary courage of medical and emergency personnel. Family members of patients recounted harrowing moments as they pleaded for help, while staff and first responders worked tirelessly to save lives under extreme conditions.
