Buldhana: Fire breaks out in Lonar Rural Hospital, patient burnt on bed

Maharashtra: A fire broke out in the rural hospital of Sarovarnagari Lonar on Monday morning. A patient died of burns in the general ward of the rural hospital. The mentally ill patient was a resident of Paithan. His name is said to be Haribhau Rokde. The fire was brought under control due to the tireless efforts of the staff, averting a major accident. On the afternoon of December 22, a mentally ill person was brought to the rural hospital of Lonar in an ambulance from the Lonar bus stand. At first he did not reveal his identity, but when he was questioned in confidence, he told that his name was Haribhau Rokde (resident of Paithan, Sambhajinagar). When he was asked about his family, he told that he has no one in this world.

After investigation, the said mentally ill person was undergoing treatment in the general ward of the rural hospital. Meanwhile, the staff on duty at night saw smoke coming out of the ward. When the staff reached the spot, they saw that the mentally ill patient was lying on the bed surrounded by flames. With the help of the fire extinguisher present in the hospital, the staff tried to extinguish the fire. But by then the mentally ill patient was completely burnt. As soon as the information of the incident was received, Lonar police reached the hospital. Meanwhile, CCTV footage shows that the fire broke out due to the mentally ill patient smoking a beedi. However, this could not be confirmed. The possibility of fire due to short circuit cannot be ruled out. Senior sources said that Lonar police and hospital management are investigating the exact cause of the fire on the basis of CCTV footage. Lonar police is conducting further investigation.