10 people have reportedly died in a fire incident at a hospital in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district on Saturday, ANI reported, quoting District Collector Rajendra Bhosale.

The incident, which reportedly took place in the ICU (intensive care unit) of the Ahmednagar District Hospital, has been contained. The cause of the fire is yet to be known.

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According to reports, at least 20 patients were undergoing treatment in the ICU and four fire-tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the blaze and shift the patients to safer areas. 

The cause of the blaze, which has now been extinguished, is yet unknown, but preliminary investigations by the fire department suggest it started due to an electrical short circuit, Dr Bhosle said.

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Visuals show smoke pouring out of the lower floors of the hospital. Others show some people slowly re-entering the ward after the fire was put out, with soot-stained walls and broken ceiling panels visible.

Other videos show the heart-breaking sight of doctors desperately trying to revive some of those caught in the fire, and those fortunate to be shifted out can be seen waiting in the courtyard.

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An official inquiry will take place, the senior government official told reporters.