2 hrs ago
Telangana Hospital Fire Kills Three Preterm Babies, Families Demand Answers
A fire broke out in a hospital unit where very sick newborn babies were being treated.
The fire started late at night after an air-conditioning unit exploded.
Hospital workers and firefighters rescued about 28 babies, but three premature baby girls died.
Two nurses and other staff members were hurt while trying to save the babies.
Some rescued babies had trouble breathing because of the smoke.
The babies’ families are asking who was responsible.
Officials are investigating whether an air-conditioner problem or an electrical short circuit caused the fire.
The state government has ordered an inquiry and safety checks at government hospitals.
Three unnamed pre-term baby girls died after a fire engulfed the Special Neonatal Care Unit at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Adilabad.
The fire began around 11:30 p.m. after an explosion involving an air-conditioning unit, though officials are investigating whether a malfunction or short circuit caused it.
Hospital staff rescued about 28 infants, while two nurses and several other staff members suffered burn injuries.
Several evacuated infants developed breathing problems from smoke inhalation, and some were transferred to hospitals in Adilabad and Nizamabad.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered an inquiry and safety audits of government hospitals across Telangana.
- Who
- Three unnamed premature baby girls died; hospital staff rescued other infants, and their families are seeking answers.
- What
- A fire engulfed the Special Neonatal Care Unit at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, killing three babies.
- Where
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Adilabad, Telangana.
- When
- The fire broke out at about 11:30 p.m.; the report identifies the incident as occurring on September 22, 2026.
- Why
- The cause has not been determined; police and fire officials are investigating a possible air-conditioning malfunction or short circuit.
Families and Relatives
Officials and Investigators
Possible cause of the fire
Families and Relatives
A relative said several air-conditioning units appeared to explode, causing the fire to spread quickly.
Officials and Investigators
Police and fire officials are investigating whether an air-conditioning malfunction or a short circuit triggered the blaze.
Accountability
Families and Relatives
The victims’ families are demanding to know who was responsible and who can answer for the deaths.
Officials and Investigators
The chief minister has ordered an inquiry and requested a detailed report on the fire’s cause.
Conditions during rescue
Families and Relatives
A relative said thick smoke, chaos and a locked door forced rescuers to break glass panes and windows.
Officials and Investigators
Hospital staff and firefighters rescued about 28 infants, while officials arranged further treatment for babies affected by smoke inhalation.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Three premature baby girls died.
- Hospital unit
- Special Neonatal Care Unit at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences.
- Infants evacuated
- About 28 infants were rescued.
- Staff injuries
- Two nurses and several hospital staff suffered burn injuries.
- Fire duration
- Firefighters took more than an hour to bring the blaze under control.
- Transfers
- Three infants were shifted to a private Adilabad hospital and two to Nizamabad.
- Government response
- Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy ordered an inquiry and safety and fire-prevention audits of government hospitals.
Quotes
Relative of Shaik Bai
Relative of one of the infant victims
“Now she is dead. What do I tell my wife Saba who is admitted at a different hospital? Who is to blame for this? Who is going to bring my daughter back?”
indianexpress.com
“A door got locked so the glass panes and windows had to be broken to rescue all the infants.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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