Three newborns died after a fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Amravati District Women’s Hospital in India early Monday, forcing an emergency evacuation of dozens of infants.
The blaze reportedly began around 3:30am when a ventilator exploded on the third floor. Thirty-nine newborns were admitted across the SNCU’s three sections — for inborn babies, outborn cases, and step‑down care for infants nearing discharge.
The three infants who died suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. Six critically affected newborns were transferred to a nearby Super Speciality Hospital for treatment, reports NDTV.
Doctors, nurses, and staff rushed into the ward as the fire spread, disconnecting equipment and carrying infants out of danger.
Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, reached the site soon after. Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola confirmed details to PTI and said a probe is underway.
Authorities have announced a high‑level inquiry to determine accountability for lapses.
District Guardian Minister and Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule expressed grief and pledged government support.
“I am deeply saddened by today’s tragic incident in Amravati. My heart goes out to the affected families. I pay my solemn tributes to the departed newborns and pray that God gives their parents the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule termed the incident “extremely heartbreaking” and demanded a thorough probe, alleging systemic failures.
“The entire incident must be thoroughly investigated, and strictest action should be taken against those responsible. There is also an urgent need to conduct fire audits and safety audits of medical equipment in all government and private hospitals across Maharashtra,” she wrote on X.
Former minister and Congress leader Advocate Yashomati Thakur described the fire as “very shocking,” alleging lapses in firefighting systems.
She said, “In a new building, in the NICU, small children have been injured. Firefighting equipment was not properly equipped, therefore the fire grew. An inverter caught fire, so somewhere there has been a lapse.”
Local authorities have pledged accountability through a formal inquiry, while grieving families and activists continue to demand answers over safety failures that allowed the tragedy to unfold.
