3 babies dead after ventilator blast causes massive fire at Maharashtra hospital
Three newborns died after a fire broke out at the Amravati District Women's Hospital early Monday. Around 39 babies were admitted when the blaze erupted, while six others were shifted to a super-speciality hospital.
Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women's Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, early Monday morning.
The fire reportedly broke out at around 3.30 am in the NICU located on the hospital's third floor. According to preliminary information, the blaze may have started following an explosion in a ventilator. The exact cause of the fire, however, is yet to be established and will be determined after an investigation.
Around 39 newborn babies were reportedly admitted to the NICU when the fire broke out.
HOSPITAL STAFF LAUNCH RESCUE OPERATION
As soon as the fire was noticed, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff on duty began evacuation and rescue efforts.
The spread of flames and smoke created panic inside the hospital, with staff members working to move the newborns to safer areas.
Several babies were successfully evacuated from the affected unit. However, three newborns sustained severe burn injuries and died in the incident, according to preliminary information.
Around six other babies were shifted to a super-speciality hospital for further treatment.
The condition of the injured newborns was not immediately known.
INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
Following the incident, emergency response teams and hospital personnel worked to bring the fire under control and secure the affected area.
The hospital administration has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Authorities are also expected to examine the equipment and electrical systems inside the NICU to determine how the fire started.
Preliminary information has pointed towards a possible ventilator-related incident, but officials have not yet established the exact cause.
Authorities will also examine whether all required fire-safety measures and emergency protocols were in place and whether they were followed during the incident.
TRAGIC, HEART-WRENCHING: CM FADNAVIS
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the deaths of three newborns in the fire at Amravati's District Women's Hospital and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.
In a post on X, Fadnavis described the incident as “tragic and heart-wrenching” and said the government would take the strictest possible action against those found responsible.
He said the Health Minister and the Health Department Secretary had been instructed to visit Amravati on Monday. Fadnavis also directed the Amravati District Collector to ensure that the injured children receive treatment at government expense.
The state government will provide Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance to the families of each of the three deceased newborns, he said.
Fadnavis added that 36 children were rescued safely during the incident.
Maharashtra Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar said three newborns died in the Amravati hospital fire after a reported explosion involving a ventilator port in the NICU at around 3.30 am.
Abitkar said hospital staff made efforts to rescue the babies following the incident and managed to save six newborns despite the intensity of the fire.
He said the state government has made fire safety audits mandatory for both government and private hospitals before granting permission under the Bombay Nursing Act.
The minister said a technical investigation would establish the exact cause of the incident and determine whether there were any lapses, irregularities in the materials used or issues related to permissions. He added that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible.
SUPRIYA SULE CALLS FOR THOROUGH INVESTIGATION
NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule expressed grief over the deaths and called for a thorough investigation into the Amravati hospital fire. In a post on X, Sule said the incident, which she linked to an explosion in a NICU ventilator, raised serious concerns over safety standards.
She called for strict action against those found responsible and urged the Maharashtra government to conduct fire safety audits of all government and private hospitals across the state, along with safety audits of medical equipment.
Sule expressed condolences to the families of the newborns who died and wished for the speedy recovery of those undergoing treatment.
Further details regarding the identities of the deceased newborns, the condition of those undergoing treatment and the circumstances surrounding the fire are awaited.