Maharashtra: Ventilator Blast Sparks Fire in Amravati Hospital NICU, Three Newborns Killed

Three newborn babies died after a major fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women's Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, in the early hours of Monday. The infants died of suffocation caused by smoke from the blaze. Six other babies have been admitted to a super-speciality hospital for treatment, and some children reportedly suffered burns to their hands and legs.

Sudden Explosion in Ventilator Triggers Fire

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred at around 3:30 am on Monday. It is understood that a ventilator in the NICU suddenly exploded, after which a fire broke out. The blaze spread rapidly through the ward, filling it with smoke.

Doctors and Nurses Save Several Newborns

As soon as the fire was noticed, doctors, nurses and other staff on duty rushed to evacuate the newborns admitted to the ward. A total of 12 infants were in the ward at the time. Prompt action by staff allowed several babies to be brought out safely, though three could not be saved.

Babies affected by the fire, along with some other newborns admitted in nearby rooms, have also been shifted to a super-speciality hospital as a precaution, where they remain under treatment.

NICU Had Only Begun Operating a Year Ago

The third floor of Amravati District Women's Hospital houses three NICU wards for newborns, each with capacity for 13 infants, taking total capacity to 39. The ward where the fire broke out had 12 babies admitted at the time of the incident.

The NICU is reported to have begun operating only around a year ago, raising serious questions over the hospital's fire and emergency safety arrangements.

Questions Raised Over Fire Safety Measures

Following the incident, the biggest question being raised is why the hospital's fire-prevention and firefighting systems did not activate immediately. An investigation is also underway into what steps staff on duty took to control the fire, and the exact cause of the ventilator explosion has not yet been established. Hospital administration is yet to issue a detailed clarification on the matter.

Similar Incident Earlier at MP District Hospital NICU

This comes days after a fire broke out in the NICU of Chhindwara District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, at around 2 am. Officials said the fire allegedly started from a warmer machine — used to maintain a patient's body temperature during treatment — after sparking in its filament. Three newborns kept in the machine suffered burns, one of whom later died during treatment.