Mumbai: 11 dead, 10 injured after fire breaks out at COVID-19 hospital in Bhandup

Fire breaks out at Sunrise Hospital in Bhandup West. Pics/Anurag Kamble

At least 11 people died and 10 others were injured after a fire broke out at a private COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai's Bhandup West area in the early hours of Friday. Twenty fire engines, 15 water tankers and ambulances were rushed to the spot.

As many as 76 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Sunrise Hospital, which is located on the third floor of Dreams Mall.

"A level-4 fire broke out on the first floor of a mall at 12:30 am. 76 COVID-19 patients were admitted to the hospital. 22 to 23 fire tenders are present at the spot," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Prashant Kadam.

Firefighters at the spot. Pic/Sameer Markande

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar visited the spot at midnight. She said, "This is the first time I have seen a hospital in a mall. This is a very serious situation. Seven patients were on ventilators. 70 patients have been taken to another hospital. There will be an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire."

Sunrise Hospital is one of the first hospitals in Asia to be located within the premises of a mall. The hospital issued a statement saying that there was a fire on the first floor of Dreams Mall and the smoke reached up to the Sunrise Hospital, located on the top floor.

"All fire alarms beeped and hence all patients were safely evacuated to the fire refuge area due to the smoke. Two people have died due to COVID-19 and there was no casualty due to fire. Patients were promptly shifted to jumbo covid centre and other private hospitals," a statement by Sunrise Hospital read.

"This hospital was started in exceptional circumstances due to COVID-19 last year. It is functioning with all due compliances like fire licence, nursing home licence, etc. The hospital staff did a fantastic job in safely evacuating the patients on wheelchairs and beds to the refuge areas and by following the fire drills," the hospital statement further read.

Sources said after the major fire last night, there was a small fire in one of the towers again on Friday morning.

Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said there were 78 patients in the hospital last night when the fire broke out. "Sunrise Hospital was started a year ago for COVID-19 patients. There were 78 patients in the hospital last night when the fire broke out. As per the latest information, out of the 78 patients, 10 have died and 68 others have been shifted to other covid facilities. We are in the process to ascertain their identity," said Nagrale.

"This is a serious incident and as per preliminary probe, hospital negligence is evident. We will register a case and it will be investigated. Those responsible will be booked for negligence," the Mumbai police chief added.