Cuttack, Nov. 30: Preliminary investigation has indicated inferior wires in the operating warmer machines have led to short circuit and the subsequent fire at Sishu Bhavan here yesterday.

"A detailed probe will be conducted to find out whether there was any defect in the internal electrical system or the short circuit was due to excess heating of the machines. So far, it appears that low-standard wires were used to operate the warmers, samples of which were also collected today," said superintending engineer of the roads and buildings division (electrical circle) Subhas Acharya.

An infant had suffered superficial burn injuries in the fire that broke out inside the neonatal ward at 7am yesterday. Relatives of the patients and other medical employees evacuated the other 20 infants admitted in the unit.

Sources said there was a short circuit immediately after one of the 200Watt bulb of one of the warmer machines in the ward exploded and the fire engulfed the unit. The warmer machine immediately caught fire and the 22-day-old baby from Kendrapara suffered injuries. He condition is said to be critical.

"We admitted him to Sishu Bhavan following a minor liver surgery at a private hospital on November 26 and he was supposed to be discharged yesterday," said Abhimanyu Sahu, father of the child.

Sishu Bhavan superintendent Saroj Satpathy said the fire mishap was an "accident" and the medical employees had done a commendable job to ensure timely evacuation of the babies.

Fire officials also inspected the ward today. "There were necessary fire protection equipment, including risers and pump house The statements of eye-witness, attendants and others on duty will also be recorde, he added.#The incident, however, has left the patients' relatives panic stricken. "Most of the parents rescued their babies while only two medical staff members assisted in the evacuation. We are afraid that similar incidents may recur as there is regular power fluctuation," said Anil Singh, the relative of a patient.