NEW DELHI — At least seven people, including a toddler, were killed after a fire broke out at a private hospital in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, police said Friday.
The fire broke out Thursday night in the hospital in Trichy Road in Dindigul district, about 430 km west of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.
“Last night a fire broke out in the reception area of City Hospital, an orthopaedic care hospital and immediately engulfed the whole building. In the blaze, seven people, including a child, were killed due to suffocation,” a police officer said. “The fire possibly triggered by a short circuit spread to all four floors.”
Police said six people who were stuck inside a lift were rescued.
“They have suffered suffocation but were taken to hospital where they became stable after the treatment,” the officer said.
It took several hours for firefighters to douse the flame and bring it under control.
Chances of fire in Indian buildings are usually high as people often ignore safety standards.
XINHUA