No ventilation system made Lokbandhu hosp a gas chamber: Probe

Lucknow: The preliminary investigation into the fire incident at Lokbandhu Hospital revealed that the most critical factor contributing to the chaos and panic was the absence of a proper smoke ventilation system. Fire department officials, who responded promptly to the blaze, said that although the fire itself was contained relatively quickly, it was the thick, suffocating smoke that posed the greatest danger to patients and staff.
The fire, which originated due to a short circuit in the female medicine ward, rapidly spread toward the ICU. While the fire alarms were triggered and firefighting systems such as hose pipes and extinguishers were functional, there was no mechanism to release or redirect the smoke out of the building. The lack of smoke exhaust ducts or proper ventilation allowed the smoke to accumulate rapidly in enclosed spaces.
Patients, many of whom were immobile or already on oxygen support, were trapped in their rooms and corridors as dense smoke engulfed the ward and adjoining areas. According to a senior fire officer present at the scene, "Smoke spread faster than the flames. It filled the rooms, lobbies, and ICU, making it extremely difficult for patients to breathe or even see. In the absence of smoke outlets, it was like a gas chamber — even though the fire was under control."
Hospital staff and firefighters had to physically carry patients through smoke-filled hallways, using makeshift methods to keep them conscious and breathing. Some patients reportedly fainted or experienced respiratory distress during the evacuation.
Compounding the crisis was a sudden power outage that occurred during the fire. Officials confirmed that electricity to the affected wing was cut off, either due to damage caused by the short circuit or as a safety precaution. However, this plunged critical wards into darkness and rendered lifts and electrically operated equipment useless. Emergency lighting was insufficient, forcing rescuers to operate in near darkness.
"The lack of power delayed the movement of patients, especially those on life support or confined to beds. In the ICU, nurses and doctors struggled to manually ventilate patients or relocate them without the support of powered medical devices," said a source familiar with the rescue. A patient's attendant, Ranjeet Kumar, whose mother Barfi Devi was admitted, also said that there was no provision of emergency lights. "Emergency lights could have provided illumination, making it easier to navigate evacuation routes during a fire, especially in smoky conditions," he said.