AMRI hospital fire: Questions raised over fire-fighting operations

As the death toll crossed 85 in the devastating fire in private hospital AMRI in Kolkata on Friday, there were allegations that firemen arrived late on the scene but the fire brigade maintained there was no delay.

Manas Sau, a local who assisted in the rescue effort, said, "The fire tenders arrived at the main gate and found it locked and only after much effort were able to get inside."

On the allegations by relatives of victims of late arrival by the firemen, Additional Director General (Fire Services) D Biswas said that the fire brigade was informed at 4.10am and responded immediately.

The fire brigade personnel used snorkel ladders and other equipment to reach some of the patients and bring them down to safety, the ADG said.

The patients were immediately shifted to the main building or other hospitals by government officials and Kolkata police personnel, he said.

Questions were also raised about the fire safety measures at the hospital.

The ADG said if proper fire fighting arrangements existed at the hospital, such a blaze could not have taken place.

Disaster Management Minister Javed Khan also spoke on the same lines.

Senior vice-president of AMRI, however, claimed that the hospital followed strict fire safety measures and conducted regular fire drills. "All statutory safety and fire licences are in place."

Hospital sources said, no employee fled at the time of the fire. "Not only the Dhakuria team but staff members of other branches reached within two hours to assist.

"The staff has been courageous saving many lives.. Its saddening that their service and commitment has come under doubt," a source said.