Three Newborns Die After Fire in Maharashtra Hospital
Three newborns died in a fire at Amravati District Women’s Hospital’s NICU in Maharashtra on 24 August 2026.
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Three newborns died after a fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Amravati District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra during the early hours of 24 August 2026. The incident occurred around 3:15 am, reportedly following a spark in a ventilator. Nine infants were present in the NICU at the time. Hospital staff evacuated all nine babies, but three could not be saved. The remaining six infants were transferred to a super speciality hospital for further treatment.
According to Scroll, the fire was confined to one room in the NICU and was extinguished within approximately 30 minutes. Amravati Deputy Commissioner of Police Shyam Ghuge stated that a technical fault in the thermal unit led to the blaze. Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause and to assess whether fire safety protocols were followed at the hospital.
As reported by The Hindu, the incident took place on the third floor of the hospital. Medical staff, including doctors and nurses, responded promptly to evacuate the infants from the affected area. The six surviving infants were admitted to a super speciality hospital for observation and care.
Initial coverage indicated that a police team arrived at the scene and began a preliminary investigation. The cause of the fire was initially attributed to a ventilator malfunction, but officials have stated that a comprehensive inquiry is underway to confirm the sequence of events and identify any lapses in safety measures.
Further details emerged that the fire broke out at approximately 3:30 am, with visuals from the hospital showing significant damage to equipment and the NICU ward. The hospital administration has not released the names or identities of the affected infants, in accordance with privacy protocols.
“There was a technical fault in the thermal unit, following which the fire broke out. The attendants immediately took out the nine babies from the room, of whom three died,” an official was quoted as saying.
Statements from officials confirmed that Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule ordered a complete inquiry into the incident. He assured that the government is providing all necessary medical assistance to the affected families and is in constant contact with the district administration to monitor the situation.
Additional information clarified that the fire originated from a ventilator on the third floor, and that the hospital staff’s immediate response helped prevent further casualties. The six rescued infants remain under medical supervision.
Context provided in related coverage noted that this incident follows previous NICU fires in India, prompting renewed scrutiny of hospital fire safety standards. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to a thorough investigation and to implementing any necessary safety improvements.
Note: This article is produced using AI-assisted tools and is based on publicly available information. It has been reviewed by The Quint's editorial team before publishing.