“Smoke spread within moments; we survived by Gajanan Maharaj’s grace”

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

“I had just opened my lunchbox when the siren sounded. Staff shouted about a fire and asked us to evacuate. Smoke quickly filled the floor. Leaving everything behind, I helped my husband down from the third floor. We survived only by Gajanan Maharaj’s grace,” said Sumanbai Chatupale.

Her husband, Pandit Bapurao Chatupale (Paithan), operated four days ago, was admitted on the third floor. As his saline line had just been removed, he and 10 other patients were shifted to Vaidyanath Hospital on Jalna Road, where treatment continues under Dr. Sandeep Sanap.

Fire near ICU AC unit

Sahil Farid Patel said his father, Farid Chand Patel (Nandgaon, Nashik), admitted in the ICU for four days, was shifted within 15 minutes after a fire reportedly broke out near the AC unit on the second floor.

‘We somehow managed to come down’

Lata Dayma said she and her husband, Kantilal Dayma (Nandgaon, Nashik), admitted for asthma, managed to evacuate and shift to another hospital.

Safety notices issued

Medical health officer Dr. Paras Mandlecha said 10 patients were shifted. Though the hospital has fire NOC and safety systems, inspections are underway, and notices have been issued to two to three hospitals for deficiencies.

Eyewitness account

Arun Chavan said smoke was seen around 7.45 pm from a hospital window, reportedly near the AC unit, and thick smoke continued even after patients were evacuated.

Earlier warning

Ten days ago, after a fatal ICU fire in Cuttack, Odisha, that claimed 10 lives, Lokmat (March 19) had flagged hospital fire safety lapses, raising concerns that some hospitals may not have submitted proper compliance documents.