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Three newborns killed as ventilator blast triggers fire at Amravati Govt Hospital

Amravati: A devastating fire tore through the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Amravati District Women’s Hospital in the early hours of Monday, claiming the lives of three newborn babies and triggering a frantic rescue operation to save dozens of infants undergoing treatment. The blaze broke out at around 3.30 am on the third […] The original article was published on %%sitedesc%%. Read more: %%permalink%%

Nagpur Today

Amravati: A devastating fire tore through the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Amravati District Women’s Hospital in the early hours of Monday, claiming the lives of three newborn babies and triggering a frantic rescue operation to save dozens of infants undergoing treatment.

The blaze broke out at around 3.30 am on the third floor of the government-run hospital, reportedly after a ventilator exploded, sending flames and thick smoke through the neonatal intensive care facility. At the time of the incident, 39 newborns were admitted across the SNCU’s three sections.

According to officials, three infants died after suffering severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation, while hospital staff raced against time to evacuate the remaining babies from the smoke-filled ward. Doctors, nurses and support staff disconnected life-support equipment and carried the newborns to safety as panic gripped the hospital.

Six critically ill infants were shifted to a nearby Super Speciality Hospital for advanced treatment, while the remaining babies were relocated to safer wards.

Amravati Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola said the SNCU comprises three separate units for inborn babies, outborn babies and step-down care for infants preparing for discharge. All three sections were occupied when the fire erupted.

Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, rushed to the hospital soon after the incident. A detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire and examine whether negligence or safety lapses contributed to the tragedy.

The Maharashtra Government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident to establish accountability and review adherence to fire safety norms and the maintenance of critical medical equipment.

Expressing profound grief, Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Amravati District Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible government assistance.

Opposition leaders also demanded accountability. NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and called for a comprehensive investigation. She urged the state government to conduct immediate fire safety and medical equipment audits in all government and private hospitals across Maharashtra to prevent similar tragedies.

The tragic loss of three newborn lives has once again raised serious concerns over fire safety standards, emergency preparedness and infrastructure maintenance in public healthcare institutions, with the findings of the inquiry expected to determine whether the disaster could have been prevented.

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