The massive blaze engulfed the hospital on Saturday morning, creating a huge panic among patients and staffers, as thick black smoke emanated from the ward. Pic/PTI

As the flames quickly spread to different wards, the hospital authorities, aided by locals and rescue teams, managed to shift many patients to safer locations as a precaution. Pic/PTI

A grim Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray ordered a probe into the incident and has directed the district authorities to submit their preliminary report within a week. Pic/PTI

He also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased - a majority of whom were Covid-19 patients. Pic/PTI

At the time of the incident, there were at least 17 patients, the majority said to be senior citizens, undergoing Covid-19 treatment in the ICU, and scores of anxious relatives rushed to the hospital for details on their near and dear ones, with police struggling to control them. Pic/PTI

A seven-member committee formed to probe the incident is likely to submit by Monday a primary report, listing the possible cause of the blaze at the district civil hospital. Pic/PTI

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and others expressed grief over the tragedy. Pic/PTI