Muzaffarpur: The devastating fire that broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur in the early hours of Thursday claimed six lives, leaving grieving families struggling to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
The victims included a young government employee preparing for marriage, elderly patients fighting age-related illnesses, and a woman who had spent months undergoing dialysis. While officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire, the tragedy has exposed the vulnerability of critically ill patients and raised serious questions about safety standards in private healthcare facilities.
The Bihar government has announced an immediate compensation of ₹4 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Yet for those who lost loved ones, no amount of money can compensate for the futures that were abruptly extinguished.
A Groom-to-Be Who Never Returned Home
Thirty-year-old Shashank Kumar, also known as Sumit Kumar, was looking forward to a new chapter in life.
A Lower Division Clerk in the Finance Department, Shashank was returning home from Patna on May 29 after completing his duties when he met with a road accident in Bochahan. He suffered severe head injuries and was initially admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) before being shifted to Prasad Hospital.
His father, Sanjay Chaudhary, recalled the family’s desperate efforts to save him.
“Villagers came forward and donated blood to save my son. His brain surgery on June 2 was successful, and we were beginning to feel hopeful,” he said.
Following the operation, Shashank was shifted to the ICU on Wednesday. Just hours later, the fire broke out.
“My son was supposed to get married soon. The marriage talks had been finalized. Once he recovered and returned home, the bride’s family was planning to visit him. Instead, we are preparing for his funeral,” his father said, struggling to hold back tears.
A Father Who Was Expected to Recover
For 76-year-old Krishnanandan Singh of Gorigama village in Minapur block, the hospital stay was initially expected to be temporary.
According to his son, Anil Singh, the elderly man had been admitted to Prasad Hospital on May 22 after complaining of chest and abdominal pain.
“The doctors initially assured us that he was improving and would be discharged soon,” Anil said. “But after a few days, his condition deteriorated and he was shifted to the ICU.”
The family alleges that they were never informed by hospital authorities about his death.
“When news of the fire spread, we rushed to the hospital. We couldn’t find him there. Later, we reached SKMCH and found his body outside the post-mortem house,” Anil said.
The family has accused the hospital administration of failing to communicate crucial information during the emergency.
A Long Battle Against Kidney Disease Ends in Disaster
Sixty-two-year-old Geeta Devi of Bistaulia village in Motipur block had been battling kidney disease for years.
For the past six months, she had been undergoing regular dialysis sessions at Prasad Hospital. As her condition worsened, doctors shifted her to the ICU.
Her three sons say they had spent lakhs of rupees on treatment, hoping their mother would recover.
“She survived months of illness, but she could not survive the fire,” one family member said.
The family has accused the hospital management of negligence and demanded accountability for the incident.
Recovery After Brain Surgery Cut Short
Among those killed was 57-year-old Uday Kumar of Tariyani in Sheohar district.
His brother-in-law, Rishi Vats, said Uday had recently undergone brain surgery and had returned from Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. Doctors had advised home-based care, but the family admitted him to Prasad Hospital for continued monitoring.
In a chilling account of the night of the fire, Rishi said he was heading to the hospital counter around 3:30 a.m. to report a stolen mobile phone when panic suddenly erupted.
“People started running. We learned that the ICU was on fire. When I rushed upstairs, I saw security guards trying to save themselves instead of helping patients,” he alleged.
The family believes the tragedy could have been prevented with a faster and more coordinated emergency response.
A Family’s Financial Sacrifice Ends in Heartbreak
The case of Brijnandan Rai from Pakahi Baghi village in Maniyari block added further confusion and anguish to an already chaotic day.
Following the fire, he was shifted to another hospital in Patna, where he died later on Thursday evening.
His family said they had sold land and spent nearly ₹5 lakh on his treatment. The uncertainty surrounding his whereabouts after the fire sparked hours of protests and confrontation at the hospital premises.
Relatives alleged that they were unable to obtain clear information regarding his condition or location for several hours.
The situation escalated into a major protest, with angry family members staging demonstrations and vandalizing parts of the hospital property. Videos circulating on social media showed damaged hospital infrastructure as emotions ran high.
District authorities eventually intervened to calm the situation and facilitate communication with the family.
Questions Over Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Hospital authorities have maintained that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the ICU. According to the management, the presence of running air conditioners accelerated the spread of flames.
The ICU and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) were located on the same floor. At the time of the incident, 27 patients were admitted to the two wards.
Hospital officials stated that 18 patients were successfully rescued and shifted to other medical facilities for treatment, while four patients were discharged safely. The management has reported five deaths directly linked to the incident, though authorities have confirmed six fatalities overall.
The hospital has also filed a police complaint alleging that some individuals damaged property during the rescue and aftermath of the incident.
However, survivors’ families continue to question whether adequate fire safety measures, evacuation protocols, and emergency response systems were in place.
Government Response
The tragedy prompted an immediate response from the Bihar government.
After learning about the incident, Health Minister Nishant Kumar reportedly cut short an official visit and returned to Patna. Later, he visited three injured patients admitted to Medanta Hospital and assured them of all possible assistance.
The minister directed doctors to provide the best available medical care and said the Health Department was closely monitoring the treatment of all affected patients.
“The government’s priority is to ensure quality treatment and support for every patient impacted by this tragedy,” officials said.
Beyond the Statistics
For the administration, the incident may be recorded as a hospital fire that claimed six lives. For the families left behind, it is the story of a son whose wedding never took place, a father who never returned home, a mother who fought illness for months, and patients who survived surgeries only to perish in a disaster they could not escape.
As investigations continue, the grieving families are seeking answers, accountability, and assurance that such a tragedy will never be repeated.
