Three newborns die in fire at government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati

Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the government-run District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, early Monday, officials said.

The fire broke out at about 3:15 a.m. on the third floor of the hospital, where newborns requiring intensive medical care were being treated. Initial reports said a ventilator sparked or caught fire, while officials said a technical fault may have triggered the blaze. The exact cause is being investigated.

The affected section of the NICU had nine infants at the time. Hospital staff responded after the fire broke out and evacuated the babies from the ward. Six of the nine infants were rescued and moved to a super-specialty hospital for further treatment.

Officials said the NICU housed premature, low-birth-weight and critically ill newborns. The fire was brought under control after emergency personnel and hospital staff intervened. Reports said the blaze was confined to one section of the unit, limiting its spread to other parts of the hospital.

The three infants who died suffered severe effects from the fire and smoke. Their identities have not been publicly disclosed.

The deaths have prompted questions about fire and electrical safety in government hospitals. Congress leaders who visited the facility called for a detailed investigation and questioned whether adequate safety measures were in place.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. The state government also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for the family of each deceased infant and said action would be taken if anyone is found responsible.

Authorities are examining the medical equipment, electrical systems and circumstances surrounding the outbreak to determine what caused the fire and whether any safety protocols were breached.

The incident has also renewed scrutiny of safety arrangements in neonatal and intensive-care units, where patients are particularly vulnerable and evacuation can be difficult because many require continuous medical support.