ICU Monitor Emitted Smoke, Then AC Unit Exploded: How Bihar Hospital Fire Turned Deadly Within Minutes
ICU Monitor Emitted Smoke, Then AC Unit Exploded: How Bihar Hospital Fire Turned Deadly Within Minutes Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 12:44 IST
ICU Monitor Emitted Smoke, Then AC Unit Exploded: How Bihar Hospital Fire Turned Deadly Within Minutes Published By, Last Updated: June 04, 2026, 12:44 IST Forensic teams are probing the Muzaffarpur hospital fire that killed four people, as fresh details raise concerns over ICU staffing and emergency response. Muzaffarpur: A man looks at the charred remains after a fire broke out in the ICU of a private hospital (Photo: PTI) The death toll in the fire that broke out at a private hospital in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur has risen to four, as specialised forensic teams have begun examining the site to determine the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the tragedy. According to officials, the blaze erupted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Prasad Hospital during the early hours of Thursday, triggering a frantic rescue operation and forcing relatives to evacuate patients amid thick smoke and chaos. Fire officials have indicated that a short circuit appears to be the likely cause of the fire, though a detailed investigation is underway. According to the information available, smoke was first noticed around 3.00 am emanating from a monitor connected to a medical device inside the ICU located on the fifth floor of the hospital building. What initially appeared to be a technical malfunction quickly escalated into a major emergency. Within approximately 15 minutes, the fire reportedly spread rapidly through the ICU hall. By around 3.15 am, the entire ICU ward had been engulfed by flames and dense smoke, making visibility difficult and creating panic among patients, attendants and hospital staff.
Witnesses said the room became filled with smoke as the fire intensified. The situation became more dangerous when an air-conditioning unit caught fire while the blaze was raging through the ICU. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion after the AC unit ignited, further intensifying the flames and increasing the spread of smoke inside the hospital premises. The explosion reportedly added to the panic among those trying to escape or rescue patients trapped inside the ICU. RELATIVES ALLEGE STAFF SHORTAGE DURING EMERGENCY The incident has also raised questions about staffing arrangements inside the ICU at the time of the fire. According to relatives of patients admitted to the unit, there were 22 patients in the ICU when the fire broke out. Family members claimed that despite the number of patients, only one staff member was on duty inside the ward. They alleged that while intensive care units generally have a technician or hospital attendant for every two or three beds, only a single staff member was present when the fire erupted. Relatives further alleged that the staff member fled the area after the blaze broke out, leaving attendants and family members to deal with the emergency. As flames and smoke spread through the ICU, relatives of patients rushed to rescue their loved ones. Witnesses said attendants and family members began carrying patients out of the ward after learning about the fire. The rescue efforts unfolded amid confusion and panic, with people scrambling to create exit routes and improve ventilation. According to those present, glass panes separating hospital sections, as well as window panes, were smashed to facilitate evacuations and allow smoke to escape from the building.
The desperate measures taken by relatives are believed to have helped several patients escape the smoke-filled ICU. FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE OVER A DOZEN PEOPLE Emergency response teams reached the hospital soon after receiving information about the blaze. Firefighters battled intense smoke while carrying out rescue operations inside the building. Speaking to ANI, one firefighter recalled the difficult conditions under which the rescue operation was conducted. “I rescued around 15 people. There was a lot of smoke as we were busy rescuing people. My job was to extinguish the fire," he said. Fire officer Faiz Alam said firefighters rescued between 20 and 22 people from the ICU. “Prima facie, the cause of the fire appears to be a short-circuit. We rescued 20-22 people from the ICU. Six fire engines were deployed to extinguish the fire here. The post-mortem report will make clear the reason for death. We have information that a fire audit was conducted here," Alam told ANI. Officials said six fire tenders were pressed into service to bring the blaze under control. FORENSIC TEAMS BEGIN INVESTIGATION With the death toll rising to four, authorities have now deployed specialised forensic teams to investigate the incident. Officials said the teams are examining the site to determine the precise cause of the fire and reconstruct how the incident unfolded. The findings are expected to help establish whether the blaze was caused solely by an electrical fault or whether other factors contributed to the tragedy. BIHAR CM ANNOUNCES E GRATIA Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the deaths and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “The loss of four lives in a fire at a private hospital in Muzaffarpur is extremely tragic. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the families during this difficult time." He further announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim. Further details are awaited as the forensic investigation and official inquiry continue. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: June 04, 2026, 12:43 IST News india ICU Monitor Emitted Smoke, Then AC Unit Exploded: How Bihar Hospital Fire Turned Deadly Within Minutes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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