New Delhi: Massive Fire at Max Antara facility kills two patients

New Delhi: Two senior citizens were burned inside the Max's Antara Care Old Age Nursing Home in South Delhi's Greater Kailash Area on Sunday morning after a fire broke out at the facility.

After getting the information about fire at 5.14 am, the five fire tenders and a few ambulances immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control by 6.50am, the fire department informed PTI.

Police have informed that 13 other residents were rescued and they have been moved to other facilities. While one senior citizen has been shifted to Max Hospital in Saket, 12 others have been moved to another branch in Okhla of Antara Care.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued a notice to Delhi Police seeking action taken report in connection with the incident.

Launched back in 2013, Antara is a whilly-owned subsidiary of Max India Limited. Offering senior care needs, Antara operates in two main lines of businesses – Residences for Seniors and Assisted Care Services.

As per their official website Antara Care Homes of Max India Limited are specialised residential facilities for short and long-term care, pre & post-operative care and memory care for seniors. These assisted living facilities provide primary health care and emergency response services, curated engagement calendars and nutritionally assisted meals in a homely environment for seniors who require assistance in their daily activities.

Like its other facilities, Antara Care Homes at Greater Kailash II, New Delhi provides 24x7 medical care, personalised care plans, safety and security, senior friendly rooms, nutritionally assisted meals, and doctor coverage to the senior citizens.

However, according to the official website of Delhi Health Department, Antara's name is not registered as a functional Nursing Home.

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Yesterday morning after fire broke out at the Greater Kailash facility, five fire tenders and a few ambulances were rushed to the spot. According to police, which helped in the fire fighting operation, the fire had occurred on the third floor of the building.

After the fire was doused, two completely burnt bodies were found on the third floor. Kanchan Arora, 86, and Kamal, 92, were burned inside the building, according to fire department.

The crime and FSL teams have been called to the spot, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Chandan Chowdhary said, adding the matter is being investigated.

Taking a suo moto cognizance in the matter, Commission chief Swati Maliwal said, "Provide a detailed action taken report on the matter. Considering the gravity of the matter please provide the sought information to the Commission latest by January 6."

The commission has also demanded the details of the person, responsible for the negligence in the matter. 

"Provide a copy of the FIR registered in the matter, details of the person(s) responsible for the negligence in the matter (if any) and whether the person(s) responsible for the negligence has been arrested. If not, please provide reasons for the same," the Commission said in a statement.

Women's Commission has also asked whether the home had the necessary license from the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Department, or Health Department. "If yes, please provide a copy of the same," it added.

Meanwhile, issuing a  media statement in this regard, the authorities of Max's Antara Senior Care stated, "A fire incident occurred in the early hours of 1st January’23 on the third floor of our Care Home facility in Greater Kailash II. Four fire brigades reached the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control within 30 minutes. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained."

"While all other residents/patients, doctors and team members have been evacuated safely from the facility, two of our residents, have unfortunately succumbed to the fire. All other people have been rescued and moved to another facility of ours where they are receiving the necessary medical care," it added.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. We are actively cooperating with the investigating authorities and will take appropriate actions as required," further mentioned the statement.

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