Patna: No gas leak, voltage fluctuation caused minor fire, says official

Patna: Burning of an electric wire of an air conditioner in the paediatric ward of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where 24 students of Chhapra midday meal tragedy are undergoing treatment, created panic with some parents running out of the ward with their children. PMCH Superintendent Amarkant Jha Amar told PTI that smoke came out due to the burning of the AC wire because of voltage fluctuation. There was no gas leak, he clarified. The AC was immediately put off and the wire disconnected, the PMCH Superintendent said. [caption id=“attachment_969821” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Children who fell sick after consuming midday meals at a hospital in Bihar. AFP[/caption] He said doctors and attending nurses immediately opened the windows for the smoke to go out. Twenty-four children of primary school, Dharmasati Gandaman of Saran district and a cook, Manju Devi, are admitted in the paediatric ward of PMCH since Tuesday night. The PMCH Superintendent said all of them are showing signs of recovery. “Their condition is improving fast and they have been kept here only for observation for a few more days,” Amar said. “Three children are in the ICU not because they are serious but for safety only,” Amar said. PTI