**Fire in Neonatal ICU Claims Lives of 10 Newborns in Jhansi Hospital**

LUCKNOW, India - A devastating fire erupted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late Friday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 newborn babies and leaving 16 others injured. The incident occurred in a ward where 55 infants were being treated, and quick actions helped rescue 45 babies who are now receiving medical care, according to Bimal Kumar Dubey, a local official.

Preliminary investigations have highlighted several safety lapses, including expired fire extinguishers and fire alarms that failed to function, which reportedly delayed the rescue efforts. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire and hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy.

Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, visited the hospital and met with affected families on Saturday. He assured them of governmental support and promised a comprehensive inquiry into the incident. "We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time," he stated. Pathak also mentioned that DNA tests are being conducted, after which the bodies of the babies will be handed over to their families.

Witnesses recounted that the fire spread rapidly through the neonatal ward, which necessitated a dramatic rescue operation. Firefighters had to break through windows to reach the trapped newborns. Paramedic Praminder Singh Chandel noted that being on the ground floor, rescue efforts saved several infants. However, the babies near the entrance were most affected, with some succumbing to severe burns.

Families of the victims, overwhelmed with grief and frustration, gathered outside the hospital on Saturday demanding explanations for what they believe were insufficient safety measures. Despite the installation of fire alarms in the ICU, the alarms allegedly did not activate during the fire. According to a parent, Naresh Kumar, who lost his baby, "If the safety alarm had worked, we could have acted sooner and saved more lives." Another parent, Akhtar Hussain, whose son was rescued, echoed similar sentiments, saying the tragedy might have been avoided with better safety protocols.

Pathak revealed that the hospital's fire safety systems were last inspected in February, with a mock drill conducted in June. This incident underscores the frequent issues in India regarding adherence to building laws and safety norms, often compounded by poor maintenance and inadequate firefighting equipment, leading to catastrophic outcomes.