1 week ago
Three newborns die in Amravati hospital fire as probe begins
A fire started in a hospital room where newborn babies were being treated.
The room was in the hospital’s intensive-care unit for newborns.
Reports say a ventilator may have started the fire.
Three babies died after breathing heavy smoke.
Hospital workers and relatives rescued many other children.
One report said six babies were receiving treatment, while officials said 36 children were rescued without harm.
Families said the automatic water-spray system did not work.
Officials said the hospital had undergone regular fire audits and had applied for another one.
Investigators will decide whether faulty equipment or another problem caused the tragedy.
Three newborns died from smoke inhalation after a fire in the NICU of Amravati’s District Women’s Hospital.
The fire reportedly began between 3:15 and 3:30 a.m. after a ventilator sparked or exploded.
Officials said regular fire audits had been conducted and that a new audit was already requested.
Relatives alleged the ward’s automatic water-spray system failed, while authorities are examining possible equipment faults.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry and announced ₹5 lakh for each bereaved family.
- Who
- Three newborns died; hospital staff and relatives rescued children; Supriya Sule and Devendra Fadnavis called for action and an inquiry.
- What
- A fire in the neonatal intensive care unit killed three newborns and prompted an investigation into equipment and safety systems.
- Where
- The fire occurred in the third-floor NICU of the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra.
- When
- The fire occurred at approximately 3:15–3:30 a.m.; officials and politicians addressed the incident on Monday.
- Why
- A ventilator reportedly sparked or exploded, but investigators have not yet determined the exact cause.
Negligence and safety failure alleged
Officials cite regular audits and equipment investigation
Responsibility for the tragedy
Negligence and safety failure alleged
Supriya Sule and relatives described the incident as evidence of negligence and demanded accountability from those responsible.
Officials cite regular audits and equipment investigation
Officials said responsibility has not yet been established and are investigating whether the ventilator or another component had a technical fault.
Fire-audit compliance
Negligence and safety failure alleged
Families questioned the hospital’s emergency preparedness and alleged that the automatic water-spray system failed.
Officials cite regular audits and equipment investigation
District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar said the hospital’s fire audits had been conducted regularly and that it had applied for the current year’s audit.
Potential accountability
Negligence and safety failure alleged
Sule called for strict action and fire and medical-equipment safety audits across Maharashtra.
Officials cite regular audits and equipment investigation
The administration said it would act against officials if an administrative lapse is found, or against the equipment company if its product is at fault.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Three newborns died after being exposed to heavy smoke.
- Fire location
- The blaze began in the third-floor neonatal intensive care unit of the District Women’s Hospital.
- Reported cause
- A ventilator reportedly sparked or exploded and triggered the fire.
- Rescue figures
- An official account said 36 children were rescued unharmed; another report said six newborns were undergoing treatment.
- Fire audits
- District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar said regular audits had been conducted and a new audit had been requested.
- Government response
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry and announced ₹5 lakh for each victim’s family.
- Safety allegation
- Relatives alleged that the automatic water-spray system failed during the fire.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister
“The incident of the death of three children in the fire that broke out last night at the District Women's Hospital in Amravati is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. We share in the grief of their families. Orders have been issued to the health administration to conduct a high-level inquiry into this incident. The strictest possible action will be taken against those responsible for this incident. Both the Health Minister and the Secretary have been instructed to visit Amravati today itself.”
NDTV
“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. Fire audits have been conducted regularly.”
NDTV
Sources
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