Most fire accidents hardly make it to the top headline news in media unless lives are lost. But how ironical it is that in the shadow of the horrendous Malviya Nagar Delhi fire that claimed 21 and counting, another heart-rending tragedy has occurred inside a hospital in Bihar? At least three people died while several others reportedly suffered serious injuries after a fire broke out in a hospital in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur in the wee hours of Thursday June 4. Panic and chaos gripped the hospital premises as patients and their families desperately tried to escape.

Firefighters rushed to the spot after receiving information about the blaze at around 3 am and struggled to bring it under control. District administration officials also reached the hospital to oversee rescue and evacuation operations.

It is feared that the death count may increase even as rescue efforts continued.

"Several lives were lost following a massive fire that broke out in the ICU of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur. Firefighting teams, arriving promptly at the scene, have successfully brought the blaze under control. Reports received so far indicate three fatalities," said District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen. "Several lives were lost following a massive fire that broke out in the ICU of Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur. Firefighting teams, arriving promptly at the scene, have successfully brought the blaze under control. Reports received so far indicate three fatalities.

Further details awaited," Sen was quoted by ANI as saying.

An eyewitness, Dharmendra, alleged that despite the ICU being such a sensitive unit, no attendant or responsible staff member was present when the fire broke out. By the time hospital employees realised what had happened, the ward had already filled with thick black smoke and patients had started suffocating. He also made a disturbing allegation that has further intensified outrage over the incident. Dharmendra claimed that after his aunt died, her body was allegedly dumped outside the hospital premises and the family had to search for it themselves. The accusation has sparked criticism of the hospital administration over alleged negligence and inhuman treatment during the aftermath of the fire.

Locals said the ICU ward was located on the fifth floor of the building, while the waiting hall was on the fourth floor, creating challenges for rescue personnel during the evacuation.

Firefighters reportedly had to break open windows and doors to rescue patients trapped in the ICU and other wards.