Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow
Lucknow, Apr 15: Panic gripped Lucknow late Monday night as a devastating fire broke out at the Lokbandhu Hospital, forcing the emergency evacuation of over 200 patients and tragically claiming the life of one individual.
According to initial reports, the blaze erupted around 10 pm on the hospital’s second floor and quickly engulfed several sections of the building. Patients, doctors, and hospital staff were taken by surprise, but swift action by emergency responders helped prevent a larger catastrophe.
Firefighters and police personnel from Krishna Nagar police station rushed to the spot, battling the flames for several hours before managing to bring the fire under control. Hospital authorities suspect the cause to be a short circuit, though a detailed investigation is underway. The hospital's electricity supply was cut off as a precautionary measure, with generators being used to support firefighting and rescue operations.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the hospital to oversee relief efforts and confirmed that patients were safely relocated to other medical facilities including King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Balrampur Hospital, and Civil Hospital. Among the 24 critical patients moved to Civil Hospital, one succumbed, while the remaining are reported to be stable.
The medical superintendent of Lokbandhu Hospital, Dr Ajay Shankar Tripathi, confirmed that the situation is now under control and commended the coordinated efforts of the hospital staff and rescue teams who ensured that patients were safely evacuated amidst chaos.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was briefed about the incident and directed senior officials to ensure complete safety and uninterrupted medical care for the affected. Information Director Shishir Singh stated that the Chief Minister has ordered a thorough probe into the incident and sought a report on the hospital’s safety protocols.
The tragedy has raised fresh concerns over fire safety standards in public hospitals, with the administration vowing strict action and preventive measures in the coming days.