3 newborns die after fire breaks out at Amravati hospital NICU

AMRAVATI: Three newborns died after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women’s Hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati city early Monday, officials said.The blaze, which broke out in the NICU’s outborn babies’ section, was triggered by a ventilator at around 3.15am, Amravati Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola said.

Of the 39 infants admitted across the NICU’s three sections, 36 were rescued.The three infants who died were in the outborn section, while six other babies in the same section were safely evacuated, Ola said. Six infants were later admitted to a super speciality hospital for further treatment.Maharashtra revenue minister and Amravati guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said hospital staff immediately rushed to the NICU after the fire was reported and evacuated the other newborns.Some infants were shifted to the Divisional Referral Services Hospital.

Four children were undergoing treatment there, with one reported to be in critical condition, Bawankule said.The NICU has three sections — for inborn babies, outborn babies and step-down care for infants who are ready to be discharged. It was housing 39 newborns across the three sections when the fire broke out.Bawankule ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and said the government would provide all necessary assistance to the affected families.“I am deeply saddened by today’s incident in Amravati.

My heart is heavy,” he said in a post on X.The minister said he had spoken to officials and was closely monitoring the situation.Fire officials and the Public Works Department’s electrical wing have been informed and will investigate the cause of the blaze, Ola said.The incident occurred in the new building of the District Women’s Hospital, where premature, low-weight and critically ill newborns were being treated.(With agency inputs)Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.

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