A major fire tore through the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Prasad Hospital, a private medical facility in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar, in the early hours of June 4, 2026, resulting in multiple fatalities and serious injuries. The blaze started on the fifth floor ICU ward at around 3:55 am, triggering a widespread rescue operation and renewed concerns about fire safety in healthcare facilities.
Local officials have confirmed at least three deaths, with additional casualties feared as rescue and medical assessments continue. Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Subrat Kumar Sen said there were around 13–15 patients in the ICU and several others in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) when the fire broke out. Relatives and emergency responders worked to evacuate those trapped amid heavy smoke and flames.
Firefighters arrived swiftly and brought the blaze under control, but dense smoke and difficult access slowed evacuation efforts. Around 20 patients were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for urgent treatment. Many of the ICU patients were critically ill, connected to ventilators and life‑support systems, complicating their removal from the affected area.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, though authorities are continuing a full investigation to determine the exact cause. Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims, and family members are waiting for updates on the condition of the injured.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the “tragic loss of life,” extended condolences to affected families, and announced ex‑gratia compensation of ₹4 lakh for each reported death. The local administration has also directed district hospitals to prepare for additional treatments as needed.
This incident has intensified scrutiny of fire safety standards in private hospitals across the state, particularly in critical care areas where patients cannot evacuate independently. A formal inquiry has been launched, and authorities say appropriate action will be taken if negligence or safety lapses are found in hospital protocols or infrastructure.
