Fire guts Gorakhpur hospital, foul play suspected

A fire broke out in Gorakhpur's BRD Medical College on Monday morning. The blaze engulfed the Principal Office Building and records room, which contained several crucial documents.

The medical college had made headlines last year after 33 infants died due to lack of oxygen in August. Important records pertaining to this tragedy was gutted in the fire. Four fire tenders took nearly two hours to douse the flames.

While employees are allege foul play, Acting Principal Dr AK Srivastava said that a probe has been ordered find out what started the fire. "Short circuit was stated to be the reason behind it, but we have ordered a probe to ascertain the fact," said Dr Srivastava.

Although he denied the charge, the employees alleged that the fire was an attempt to burn the records pertaining to the August tragedy. "Many records pertaining to the tragedy were gutted in the fire. It could be the handiwork of those who were chargesheeted in the case.

Nine persons, including then-principal Dr Rajiv Mishra, are still languishing in jail following the mishap.