2 arrested in connection with ESIC hospital fire, death toll rises to 10
MIDC police have arrested Supreme Construction Company’s site engineer Nilesh Mehta and the supervisor Nitin Kamble in connection with the mishap
Two people have been arrested in connection with the fire at Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Kamgar Hospital earlier this week, the death toll for which has now rose to ten.
The fire which broke out at the government-run hospital in Marol, Andheri on Monday left over 175 injured, most of whom were patients and staff. Several of them, including some children, are currently admitted at hospitals across the city.
The death toll, which stood at six on the day of the blaze, rose to eight the next day as two people succumbed to their injuries. Two more, including a 65-year-old, died in the last two days.
Speaking to ANI, Navinchandra Reddy, DCP, Zone-10, Mumbai informed that the two arrested are – Supreme Construction Company’s site engineer Nilesh Mehta and the supervisor Nitin Kamble.
Reddy said, “Supreme Construction Company’s site engineer and supervisor have been arrested in connection with the fire incident at ESIC Kamgar Hospital. Further investigation is underway.”
The accused have been booked under sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
As per the preliminary report, the building material lying at the ground floor of the 325-bed hospital for renovation work caught fire on Monday afternoon, which led to the generation of smoke and ended up suffocating people.
After the tragic incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an investigation into the matter. He also promised all possible assistance to the injured.
Union Labour Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of each of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for victims who received serious injuries and Rs 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injuries.
Incidentally, another fire broke out at the same hospital at around 7:54 pm yesterday. No casualties were reported the second time as fire tenders were dispatched to the spot and the situation was quickly brought under control.
The hospital did not have a mandatory final No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department, only a provisional one, a deputy fire officer of MIDC had said earlier.
