GUWAHATI: Three newborns were killed after a massive fire broke out at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a district hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati around 3:30 am on August 24.
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The fire reportedly erupted on the third floor following an explosion involving a ventilator. At the time, 39 newborns were admitted to the unit. Doctors, nurses and hospital staff launched an immediate evacuation, rescuing several infants. Six newborns were shifted to the Divisional Referral Services Hospital for further treatment.
According to the media reports, police reached the spot and began a preliminary investigation. The exact cause of the fire and the condition of the rescued infants are yet to be confirmed.
Maharashtra Revenue Minister and Amravati guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule expressed grief and announced a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, assuring affected families of government assistance.
The incident comes days after three newborns suffered burn injuries in a fire at the NICU of Chhindwara District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, where a spark from a warmer was reportedly blamed for the blaze.