Muzaffarpur hospital fire: Death toll rises to 4, Bihar announces ₹4 lakh ex gratia
Synopsis
A pre-dawn ICU fire at Muzaffarpur's Prasad Hospital killed four, including a 76-year-old and a 30-year-old, after thick smoke triggered a stampede-like escape. Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary has announced ₹4 lakh ex gratia each, with a preliminary probe pointing to an electrical short circuit and a high-level enquiry now underway into the private hospital's safety compliance.
Key Takeaways
Four people died in a fire at Prasad Hospital , Muzaffarpur , in the early hours of 4 June .
The blaze began around 3 am in the hospital's ICU , with preliminary findings pointing to an electrical short circuit .
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
Victims: Krishnandan Prasad Singh (76), Geeta Devi (62), Shashank Kumar (30), and Uday Kumar (57).
A high-level enquiry will examine electrical systems, fire safety, and regulatory compliance at the private hospital.
Four people died after a pre-dawn fire ripped through the Intensive Care Unit of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, in the early hours of Thursday, 4 June, prompting Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary to announce an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the deceased. The blaze, which broke out around 3 am, triggered a stampede-like situation as patients, attendants, and staff scrambled to escape thick smoke spreading through the private facility.
Key developments
The fire originated in the hospital's ICU and, according to a fire official, sent dense smoke through the building within minutes. Multiple fire tenders were deployed before the blaze was brought under control, with emergency responders and local residents joining the evacuation effort.
Several patients have since been shifted to other healthcare facilities across Muzaffarpur, where they are undergoing treatment. The district administration says adequate arrangements have also been made at the Sadar Hospital for the injured.
What the Bihar government said
In a statement, CM Choudhary called the deaths 'deeply tragic' and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. 'Instructions have been issued to immediately provide an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The local administration remains fully alert, and adequate arrangements have been made at the Sadar Hospital for the treatment of the injured,' he said.
Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar reviewed the situation and spoke with Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen, directing the district administration to ensure complete and timely medical treatment for all injured patients.
The victims
Authorities identified the deceased as Krishnandan Prasad Singh (76) of Gaurigma village under Minapur police station; Geeta Devi (62) of Distolia village under Kathaiya police station; Shashank Kumar (30), originally from Ratanpur village under Aurai police station and currently residing at Newalal Chowk in Ahiyapur; and Uday Kumar (57) of Vishambharpur village under Tariyani Chhapra police station in Sheohar district.
Cause and investigation
DM Sen said preliminary findings point to an electrical short circuit in the ICU ward as the likely trigger. 'However, the exact cause will be determined after a detailed technical investigation,' he said.
The district administration has ordered a high-level enquiry that will examine the hospital's electrical systems, fire safety measures, emergency preparedness, and compliance with applicable safety regulations. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Brahmpura police station.
What happens next
The technical probe is expected to determine accountability for any lapses in fire safety compliance at the private hospital. The findings could have wider implications for ICU-grade safety audits across Bihar's private healthcare network, where similar incidents have surfaced in recent years.
Point of View
And each tragedy follows a familiar arc: short circuit, smoke, stampede, ex gratia, enquiry. The deeper question is why ICU-grade fire safety audits remain inconsistent across private healthcare in the state despite repeated incidents. ₹4 lakh per family is a humane gesture, but it does not substitute for enforceable compliance — fire NOCs, functional sprinklers, and trained evacuation drills. Unless this enquiry leads to system-wide audits, the next headline will read the same.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur?
A fire broke out in the ICU of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur around 3 am on 4 June, killing four people and forcing the evacuation of patients. Thick smoke spread quickly through the building, triggering a stampede-like situation.
How much ex gratia has the Bihar government announced?
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the four deceased. He has also directed the local administration to ensure full treatment for the injured at Sadar Hospital.
What caused the Muzaffarpur hospital fire?
District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen said preliminary findings indicate an electrical short circuit in the ICU ward as the likely cause. The exact cause will be confirmed only after a detailed technical investigation.
Who were the victims of the Muzaffarpur hospital fire?
The four deceased have been identified as Krishnandan Prasad Singh (76), Geeta Devi (62), Shashank Kumar (30), and Uday Kumar (57). They were residents of villages across Muzaffarpur and Sheohar districts.
Is there an investigation into the fire?
Yes, the district administration has initiated a high-level enquiry into the incident. The probe will examine the hospital's electrical systems, fire safety measures, emergency preparedness, and compliance with applicable safety regulations.
