Lajpat Nagar Hospital Catches Fire, 16 Fire Tenders Rushed In

A fire broke out at Eye7 Chaudhary Eye Centre in Lajpat Nagar in the capital city of Delhi, on Wednesday. Upon receiving the information at around 11.30 am, the fire officials with 16 fire tenders immediately reached the spot and put effort into dousing the fire.

No injuries or causalities have been reported so far.

The hospital was situated near the Vinobapuri metro station in the Lajpat Nagar area of New Delhi. Further details are awaited. Earlier, a massive fire broke out in a banquet hall behind Gurugram’s Ambience Mall in the early hours of Tuesday.

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare emphasized the critical importance of adhering strictly to regulatory guidelines and fire safety standards.

In a press statement, the Ministry highlighted, “Ensuring the safety and well-being of patients (both outpatients and inpatients), staff, and visitors remains paramount in healthcare facilities. Recent incidents of fire outbreaks have been reported in some locations. These incidents are often caused by short circuits resulting from inadequate electrical maintenance and/or the overload of electricity lines due to the use of air conditioners and other equipment.”

Recognizing the significant risks posed by fire hazards in hospitals, stringent protocols and measures must be implemented to prevent, detect, and respond to fires effectively. The establishment of a robust fire safety plan and the conduct of fire evacuation and safety drills are essential not only for regulatory compliance but also for the protection of lives and property.

Therefore, the Union Health Ministry has repeatedly communicated to all States/Union Territories (UTs) the heightened risk of hospital fires during the current summer months and advised them to conduct regular preventive fire risk assessments to identify vulnerable areas.

All States/UTs are instructed to ensure strict adherence to regulatory guidelines and conduct regular mock drills on fire safety following feedback from macro-level assessments.