Amravati Hospital, Maharashtra — Three newborns died after a fire reportedly followed a ventilator explosion at the District Women’s Hospital’s Special Newborn Care Unit.
Amravati Hospital Fire Kills Three Newborns
Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out at Amravati District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra in the early hours of Monday. The blaze reportedly began around 3:30 AM on the hospital’s third floor, where the Special Newborn Care Unit was treating infants.
Officials said 39 newborns were admitted across the unit’s three sections when the incident occurred. The hospital’s Special Newborn Care Unit includes areas for inborn babies, outborn babies and infants in step-down care who are nearing discharge, according to Amravati Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola.
Initial reports said the fire followed an explosion involving a ventilator. However, the precise cause of the blast and fire will be determined by the official investigation.
Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff immediately began evacuating infants from the affected ward. Medical equipment was disconnected as the rescue operation was launched, and babies were moved away from the fire-hit area. Three infants later died after suffering burn injuries and smoke inhalation, according to the reports. The tragedy has led to widespread grief and renewed concern about safety systems in healthcare facilities.
Amravati Hospital Fire Prompts Emergency Evacuation
Hospital staff rushed to protect the infants after the fire was reported. Their evacuation effort helped move the remaining newborns out of the affected sections as emergency responders arrived at the hospital.
Six critically affected infants were shifted to a nearby super-speciality hospital for advanced treatment. Authorities have not released further medical information about their condition.
Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, reached the scene shortly after the incident. Police began assessing the circumstances of the fire while officials examined the damage inside the neonatal care unit.
The immediate priority was to ensure the safety and treatment of the evacuated infants and to stabilise operations at the government hospital. Hospital authorities and emergency teams are expected to review whether all necessary fire-safety and equipment protocols were in place.
The incident is particularly serious because neonatal units rely on continuous electricity, oxygen systems, ventilators and other sensitive medical equipment. Any disruption can quickly put vulnerable infants at risk, making emergency preparedness and rapid response crucial.
Amravati Hospital Fire Under High-Level Inquiry
Local authorities have announced a high-level inquiry to examine the incident and fix responsibility for any administrative lapses, according to reports. The inquiry is expected to investigate the reported ventilator explosion, the fire’s spread, the condition of firefighting systems and the hospital’s emergency response.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Amravati district guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed condolences to the families and said the government would provide support during the crisis.
Political leaders have also called for a thorough and independent investigation. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule urged authorities to conduct fire and medical-equipment safety audits in government and private hospitals across Maharashtra.
Former minister and Congress leader Yashomati Thakur alleged that shortcomings in the hospital’s firefighting system may have worsened the situation. Her allegation has not been independently established and is likely to be examined as part of the official probe. The focus now remains on treatment for the affected infants, support for grieving families and a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Authorities are expected to provide further updates after technical and safety inspections are completed.
