ReutersSeven babies died in a fire at a hospital in the Indian capital Delhi that was operating without a valid license, police said.
fire happened on saturdayresulting in the arrest of the hospital owner and the doctor on duty.
The investigation found that the hospital also had no fire extinguishers or emergency exits.
The tragedy happened hours later A fire broke out in an arcade An explosion occurred in Rajkot, Gujarat, killing 27 people.
Fires occur frequently in residential and commercial buildings in India due to lax enforcement of safety norms.
Saturday’s tragedy, when a fire engulfed a hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar community, has left people shocked and angry.
Commissioner of Police Shahdara Surendra Chowdhury Tell News agency ANI said the hospital’s NOC (no objection certificate) expired on March 31.
Fire NOC (certification that a building meets fire safety standards) is Hospital building needs Height exceeds 15 m (49 ft).
Mr. Chaudhary added that the hospital was approved for only 5 beds but 10 beds have actually been installed.
There were 12 newborns in the hospital when the fire broke out. Five of them are currently receiving treatment at another hospital.
Police arrested hospital director Dr. Naveen Kichi and a doctor named Akash (the police used only one name) in connection with the fire. They were charged with manslaughter.
Police said Dr. Akash, who was on duty at the time of the incident, was not qualified to treat newborns requiring intensive care.
The Delhi government has ordered a magisterial inquiry.
ReutersDramatic images of fire engulfing the building circulated on social media on Saturday.
Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg told the Press Trust of India news agency that the fire spread due to an explosion in an oxygen cylinder.
Media reports said police were also investigating whether there was illegal oxygen cylinder filling at the hospital after locals reported suspicious activity.
Officials also said rescue efforts were hampered by limited access to the building, which has only one staircase and no fire escape.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the tragedy was “heartbreaking”.
“The cause of the incident is under investigation and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared,” Kejriwal said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called it “heartbreaking”. He announced an ex-gratia payment of 200,000 rupees ($2,407; £1,889) to the families of each of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to each of the injured.
