Yakoob Mansuri, a young father of two, was just outside Jhansi hospital when a devastating fire engulfed the neonatal intensive care unit where his daughters were also admitted. As the flames spread, he rushed into the ward, courageously rescuing seven infants. Sadly, his valiant efforts were not enough to save his own twin daughters.
"It was a massive fire that no one could brave," Yakoob says. "It was chaotic and harrowing, with thick smoke and flames making rescue efforts extremely challenging. However, I smashed a window and entered."
"I could not enter the ward where my daughters were admitted because the fire was so intense. Other parents also tried, but they too failed. Then we started rescuing infants from other wards. I took out seven children," Yakoob said.
“I had two daughters. I lost them,” a heartbroken Yakoob recalled. Their bodies were identified later.
He is seeking justice for his twins and the nine others who were killed in the massive fire that occurred at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College on Friday.
“We just want to get justice for our children. That's all,” Yakoob said.
Ten infants died on Friday night, and another one passed away on Sunday. An initial probe suggests that the fire was accidental, caused by a short circuit, with the presence of oxygen cylinders aggravating the situation. The preliminary probe also found that the fire extinguishers at the ICU expired four years ago.
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a four-member committee to investigate the fire, identify its cause, and determine whether there was any negligence. The government has requested the report within seven days.
