1 week ago
Amravati NICU Fire Kills Three Newborns; High-Level Probe Ordered
A fire started early in the morning in a hospital room for very sick newborn babies in Amravati.
Three babies died in the fire.
About 35 babies were reportedly in the unit, and six were moved to another hospital for care.
Doctors, nurses and other workers helped rescue babies from the room.
Officials are investigating whether a ventilator, electrical equipment or another problem caused the fire.
They are also checking whether hospital safety rules were properly followed.
The district magistrate said a fire audit was completed last year and that another audit had been requested.
Maharashtra has created a seven-member committee to investigate and report within eight days.
The government will give ₹5 lakh to each family that lost a baby and pay for treatment for injured children.
Three newborns died after a fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the NICU of Amravati District Women’s Hospital.
About 35 newborns were reportedly in the unit; six were shifted to Super Speciality Hospital for treatment.
Officials said the investigation is examining possible ventilator, electrical-system, equipment and administrative failures.
Maharashtra formed a seven-member committee to investigate the fire and submit a report within eight days.
Families of the three deceased babies will receive ₹5 lakh each, while treatment for injured children will be covered by the government.
- Who
- Three newborns died; six others were shifted for treatment. Maharashtra officials, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, are overseeing the response.
- What
- A fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, killing three newborns and prompting a high-level investigation.
- Where
- The third-floor NICU of District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra.
- When
- Around 3:30 a.m. on August 24, 2026.
- Why
- The exact cause is undetermined; investigators are examining possible equipment, electrical and administrative lapses.
Officials' account
Families' concerns
Whether fire audits were skipped
Officials' account
District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar said last year’s fire audit was conducted and documents showed that this year’s audit had been applied for.
Families' concerns
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis questioned whether mandatory fire-safety procedures and audits had been properly completed or whether deficiencies existed only on paper.
Responsibility for the fire
Officials' account
Officials said investigators must determine whether the cause was a ventilator, electrical system, other equipment or administrative negligence before assigning accountability.
Families' concerns
Families and a parent called for government support, including coverage of treatment costs for children admitted to private hospitals.
Government response
Officials' account
The state announced ₹5 lakh assistance for each deceased child, government-funded treatment for injured children and a committee-led inquiry.
Families' concerns
Families are seeking assurance that affected children receive proper treatment and that those responsible for any lapse face action.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Three newborns died from fatal burn injuries.
- Patients affected
- About 35 newborns were reportedly admitted; six were shifted to Super Speciality Hospital.
- Reported cause
- Preliminary information indicated an explosion involving a ventilator, while officials are also examining electrical systems and other equipment.
- Investigation panel
- A seven-member committee headed by Health Department Commissioner Sanjay Katkar was formed.
- Deadline
- The committee was asked to submit its report within eight days.
- Financial assistance
- The Maharashtra government will provide ₹5 lakh to the family of each deceased child.
- Fire audit
- District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar said last year’s audit was conducted and an application for this year’s audit was submitted to the PWD Electrical wing.
Quotes
Ashish Yerekar
District Magistrate of Amravati
“If any administrative lapse comes to light, no one will be spared. We will fix accountability for everyone involved. However, if there is a fault in the company's equipment, we will take strict action against the company as well.”
freepressjournal.in
“No, the fire audit for last year was indeed conducted, and they have also applied for this year's fire audit with the PWD Electrical wing. I have seen the documents myself, so it is not the case that the fire audit was skipped.”
freepressjournal.in
Father of an admitted infant
Parent of an infant admitted to District Women’s Hospital
“We demand that the government cover the costs for our children who have been admitted to private hospitals and ensure they receive proper treatment.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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