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Updated - August 24, 2026 10:49 am IST

A ventilator in the hospital’s NICU, which houses premature and critically ill babies, caught fire at around 3.15 a.m; police said. | Photo

Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Amravati’s District Women’s Hospital, a government hospital in Maharashtra, at around 3.30 a.m. on Monday (August 24, 2026), prompting an emergency evacuation of dozens of infants undergoing treatment, according to Gorakhnath Jadhav, Senior Police Inspector, Gadage Nagar Police Station.

A ventilator exploded and caught fire on the third floor, killing three newborns with severe burns and smoke inhalation, according to Mr. Jadhav. Six infants were rescued from the affected area, and the fire was put out within 10-15 minutes, he said.

At the time of the incident, 39 newborns were admitted to the SNCU of the Amravati District Women’s Hospital.

Some children have been shifted to the Divisional Referral Service Hospital for further treatment. Of them, treatment of four children is ongoing, and one is serious, Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister for Nagpur and Amravati Districts, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, said in a post on X.

अमरावतीमधील आजच्या दुर्घटनेमुळे मी खूप दुःखी झालो. माझे मन हेलावून गेले आहे.दगावलेल्या नवजात बालकांना अतिशय व्यथित अंतःकरणाने श्रद्धांजली व्यक्त करतो. त्यांच्या पालकांना हे दुःख सहन करण्याची ताकद ईश्वर देवो, अशी प्रार्थना करतो.या घटनेच्या संपूर्ण चौकशीचे आदेश मी दिले आहेत. जे…

Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff rushed to the ward after the fire broke out and began evacuating the babies. Medical equipment was disconnected, and the infants were moved out of the affected area as the rescue operation got underway.

Mr. Bawankule said on X that he was deeply saddened by the accident in Amravati. “My heart is shaken. With a deeply grieving heart, I pay my respects to the deceased newborn babies. I pray that God grants their parents the strength to bear this sorrow,” he said.

Mr. Bawankule ordered an inquiry into the incident and said that the treatment of the injured is underway. “I have ordered a complete inquiry into this incident. Treatment of those who are injured is underway. They are being provided with all kinds of medical assistance, and facilities are being arranged so that they can recover soon,” he said.

“I am in constant contact with the district administration and have given all necessary instructions. The administration is fully vigilant. I have discussed this matter with the officers,” Mr. Bawankule said.

“The government stands firmly with the relatives of the deceased children, and the government and administration are providing complete assistance,” he added.

The SNCU provides treatment to premature and newborn babies who have low birth weight and are in critical condition.

Published - August 24, 2026 08:47 am IST

Maharashtra / death / fire / hospital and clinic

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