Three newborns died after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Amravati District Women’s Hospital early Monday, raising fresh concerns over fire safety and equipment risks in critical hospital wards. The blaze reportedly began after a ventilator exploded, while staff rushed to evacuate 39 babies. Six infants were moved to a super-speciality hospital for further treatment.
Amravati NICU fire kills three newborns
The fire broke out at around 3.30 am on Monday on the third floor of the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra. Preliminary information indicates that the blaze followed an explosion in a ventilator inside the neonatal unit.
About 39 newborns were admitted to the NICU when the fire started. Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff immediately began moving the babies out of the affected ward.
Despite the evacuation effort, three newborns suffered fatal burn injuries in the fire. Six other infants were shifted to the Super Speciality Hospital for further treatment.
The hospital staff’s timely response helped save several other newborns. Further details regarding the cause of the fire and the condition of the rescued infants are awaited, ANI reported.
The Amravati Police Commissioner said, “Prima facie, it appears that the fire started inside a ventilator installed in the NICU.”
Maharashtra CM reacts
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ordered the health administration to conduct a high-level inquiry into the incident.
In a post on X, CM Fadnavis said, “The incident in which three children died in a fire that broke out last night at the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati is extremely tragic and heartbreaking. We stand with the families of the victims in their grief. The health administration has been ordered to conduct a high-level inquiry into the incident. The strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible.”
CM Fadnavis also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
“The Health Minister and the Secretary have both been instructed to visit Amravati today itself. The state government will provide financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased. The Amravati District Collector has also been directed to ensure that the injured children receive treatment at government expense. Fortunately, 36 children were successfully rescued and are safe,” he added in the post.
Chhindwara NICU fire injures three newborns
The Amravati incident came days after a separate NICU fire at the Chhindwara District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh. Three newborns suffered burn injuries after a warmer caught fire early Saturday.
District hospital Civil Surgeon Kanchan Dubey said the incident took place at around 1.50 am. According to her, a spark in the filament of a warmer used in the NICU caused the equipment to catch fire and led to injuries to three babies.
She said 33 children were in the unit at the time. Three babies were affected, while hospital staff quickly moved the other 30 children to safety.
“There were 30 other children there, making a total of 33. Three babies were affected and the remaining 30 were immediately shifted to safety by our staff, including nurses and guards, who acted promptly and saved their lives,” she said.
Bureau Report
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