Muzaffarpur ICU Fire: Three Hospital Staff Arrested Over Deadly Blaze
Muzaffarpur ICU fire kills six; doctor and two staff arrested.
Three hospital employees, including a doctor, have been arrested in connection with a devastating fire at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur that claimed six lives and left several others injured. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, has triggered a criminal investigation into alleged safety lapses and administrative negligence at the private medical facility.
According to officials, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit that led to smoke rapidly filling the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Patients and staff were caught in panic as visibility dropped sharply inside the ward, forcing emergency evacuation efforts. Despite swift response measures by rescue teams, fire services, and local residents, several critically ill patients could not be saved.
Muzaffarpur City Superintendent of Police Mohibullah Ansari confirmed that the doctor on duty in the ICU, along with the hospital’s administrative manager and maintenance manager, have been taken into custody. He said preliminary findings suggest their roles are under scrutiny due to suspected negligence in ensuring fire safety compliance. A Special Investigation Team has been formed to interrogate the accused and examine broader lapses at the hospital.
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The death toll rose to six on Friday after another patient, identified as Brajnandan Rai from Kurhani block, succumbed to injuries sustained during treatment at a separate hospital. District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirmed the updated fatality count and stated that several other patients remain in critical condition, receiving care at different hospitals in Muzaffarpur and Patna.
Authorities have registered an FIR against the hospital management under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators are also examining whether additional administrative failures or structural deficiencies contributed to the severity of the fire. A five-member committee has been set up by the district administration to conduct a detailed probe into the incident and submit its findings.
The Bihar government has announced an ex gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the families of the deceased, while state Health Minister Nishant Kumar visited hospitals in Patna to review the condition of the injured. Officials have assured that strict action will be taken against those found responsible, including the hospital owner, if further negligence is established during the investigation.
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