In a tragic twist, a father who rescued three infants, yet he was powerless to save his own child from the devastating blaze that erupted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College, leading to the heartbreaking demise of 10 newborns.

The fire broke out late Friday night at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, reportedly ignited by an electrical short circuit has plunged numerous families into a state of shock and mourning.

According to media reports, Kuldeep, a local resident, took his 10-day-old baby to the hospital earlier that day, seeking medical attention for the child's concerning health condition. A fire broke out at approximately 10:30 PM, prompting Kuldeep and his wife, stationed outside the children's ward, to witness hospital staff and nurses rushing towards the NICU in a state of alarm.

As screams pierced the air and smoke billowed, Kuldeep hurriedly made his way to the NICU. As he entered the room, he was shocked to see it completely enveloped in thick smoke. In a decisive move, he immediately became part of the hospital staff engaged in the rescue operation. Kuldeep took decisive action by breaking a window to rescue trapped children, successfully saving three infants and bringing them to safety. Despite the dense smoke that filled the air, making it difficult to breathe and causing his eyes to burn, he persevered, determined to move forward.

“I found it impossible to remain motionless as the sound of crying babies filled the air. "I had to take action," Kuldeep later recounted, still in disbelief.

As the fire rapidly advanced, consuming half of the ward, Kuldeep frantically sought his child amidst the chaos. Despite the burns on his hands, he resolutely returned indoors. The area where his baby was admitted has been completely engulfed by the flames. In a devastating scene, he stood powerless, observing as the flames consumed everything in their path. “I was unable to protect my own child.” “All my dreams turned to ashes,” he expressed, tears streaming down his face as he stood outside the hospital.

Meanwhile, Alok Singh, the Additional Director General of the Kanpur Zone, has reported that the fire was ignited by an electrical short circuit. "During the incident, the ward was home to 47 infants." "We successfully rescued 37 individuals," he stated. The Deputy Inspector General of Jhansi, Kalanidhi Naithani, has confirmed that all the victims were infants, while 16 additional individuals sustained injuries.

The District Magistrate of Jhansi reported that a fire incident began between 10:30 PM and 10:45 PM. Rescue operations focused on infants positioned near the entrances."However, he explained, it was challenging to reach those further inside. "Rescue efforts persisted into the night, yet, in a heartbreaking turn of events, 10 infants tragically lost their lives.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has conveyed his sorrow regarding the incident. A post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, "The fire at the NICU ward of Jhansi Medical College is a heartbreaking tragedy." The district administration has been directed to initiate rescue operations with urgency and efficiency.

The Uttar Pradesh government has declared a financial assistance package for the families of the victims. In a significant move to support grieving families, the government has announced a compensation package. Families of the deceased infants will receive₹5 lakh, while those injured will be compensated with₹50,000 each. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and declared an increase in compensation, providing₹2 lakh to the families of those who lost their lives and₹50,000 to those who were injured.

The hospital authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire and have promised of decisive measures against those accountable while families are left reeling and seeking clarity.

Meanwhile in a message posted in X (formerly Twitter), one user described the scene as "soul-crushing," urging authorities to take strict action to prevent such incidents in the future.

Others pointed out the glaring negligence by the hospital, noting that fire extinguishers did not work during the emergency. "The rescue operation involved breaking windows to save 39 infants," shared a concerned user, highlighting the lack of preparedness by the medical facility.

The incident also sparked outrage over the prioritization of VIP culture. Posts criticized the arrangements being made for a minister's visit to the hospital shortly after the fire, calling it an example of misplaced priorities in "India 2024."

Journalist Rohini Singh's post resonated with many, as she expressed her deep sorrow as a mother and her anger as a citizen. She emphasized the pain of the grieving parents and condemned the lack of value placed on human life in the country.