Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, on Sunday, asked the Delhi chief secretary to institute an inquiry into the tragic fire incident at a hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar that claimed the lives of six newborns.
In a post on X, Saxena said, “Have asked Chief Secy to institute an inquiry into the tragic incidents of fire in children’s hospital in Delhi. Also instructed CP to ensure all that is needful. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. I assure all relief & will ensure that guilty are brought to book.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police arrested the hospital owner where seven children were killed after a massive fire broke out on late Saturday, the police said on Sunday.
The accused was identified as Naveen Kichi, a resident of Bhairon Enclave, Paschim Vihar.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Shahdara) Surendra Chaudhary said that on Saturday at around 11:30 pm a police control room (PCR) call regarding a fire at Baby Care New Born Hospital was received at Vivek Vihar police station, following which a police team rushed to the spot.
Upon reaching the spot, the police team found the hospital engulfed in fire and its adjacent building.
“In the hospital, there were 12 newborn babies admitted and one was already dead before the fire incident. All the 12 newborn babies were rescued from the hospital with the help of other people and shifted to East Delhi Advance NICU Hospital, for treatment,” said the DCP.
The DCP said fire tenders also reached the spot and doused the flames.
Delhi Fire Service (DFS) Chief Atul Garg said seven children were declared dead at the hospital while five newly born babies are undergoing treatment. “All 7 dead bodies have been further shifted to GTB Hospital for postmortem,” said the DCP, adding that the reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained.