Fire at Srinagar maternity hospital

The casualty block of the 500-bed Lal Ded maternity hospital here was gutted in a blaze Tuesday night, authorities said.

Officials of the fire services department said 18 tenders and over 50 firemen fought to bring the blaze under control and to ensure it did not spread to other wards of the Valley's largest maternity hospital.

"There was no loss of life because of the fire. Five of our firemen sustained injuries during the operations which continued till late Tuesday," said the official.

The hospital administration said the cause of fire was being investigated although a short circuit was not ruled out.