Six patients have died following a devastating fire at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, with District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirming the updated toll on 5 June — a day after the blaze tore through the facility's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the early hours. Families of all six victims have been provided ₹4 lakh each in ex gratia compensation, as announced by Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.

How the Fire Unfolded

The fire broke out at approximately 3:00 am at Prasad Hospital, located within the Brahmpura police station jurisdiction in Muzaffarpur. According to fire officials, the blaze originated inside the ICU ward, generating thick smoke that rapidly spread through the building. The situation triggered panic among patients, their attendants, and hospital staff, leading to a stampede-like rush toward the exits.

Emergency responders and local residents worked together to evacuate patients trapped inside the facility. Several critically ill patients from the ICU were referred to Medanta Hospital in Patna for further treatment, one of whom died late the same evening, pushing the death toll to six.

Compensation and Official Response

District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen confirmed that five families received the ₹4 lakh ex gratia on the day of the incident itself, in line with Chief Minister Choudhary's directive. The sixth victim died overnight; his post-mortem was conducted at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), and his family received the compensation after the body was handed over the following morning.

'A painful incident took place yesterday. We have taken prompt action and some patients were referred to Medanta hospital in Patna. There, one of the patients passed away in late evening,' Sen said. He added that the remaining ICU patients are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals across the state.

Cause Under Investigation

Preliminary findings suggest the fire was likely caused by an electrical short circuit in the ICU ward, according to District Magistrate Sen. However, he cautioned that the exact cause would only be confirmed after a detailed technical probe. A five-member inquiry committee, headed by the Additional District Magistrate (ADM), has been constituted to investigate the incident.

Sen also warned that strict action would be taken against hospitals found to be in violation of safety norms — a signal that the probe may extend beyond Prasad Hospital to scrutinise compliance across facilities in the district.

Broader Safety Concerns

The Muzaffarpur fire is not an isolated incident. Hospital fires in India — frequently traced to faulty electrical wiring, inadequate fire exits, and absent sprinkler systems — have claimed dozens of lives in recent years. The National Building Code mandates fire safety audits for healthcare facilities, but enforcement has been inconsistent, particularly in Tier-2 cities. This incident is likely to renew calls for mandatory third-party fire safety certification for private hospitals.

As the inquiry committee begins its work, the focus will shift to whether Prasad Hospital held valid fire safety clearances and whether ICU-specific electrical infrastructure met regulatory standards.