Massive fire at Amravati hospital kills 3 newborns; fire-safety measures under scanner

Three newborns were killed after a fire broke out at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a government hospital in Maharashtra’s Amravati district, officials said.

3 min readUpdated: Aug 24, 2026 03:02 PM IST

Charred remains of medical equipment are seen after a fire in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a government hospital killed at least three newborns, in Amravati district, Maharashtra. (PTI Photo)

Three premature newborns died after a fire broke out in one room of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the government-run Amravati District Women’s Hospital around 3.30 am on Monday. According to preliminary information, the fire erupted after a technical fault in a thermal unit in the NICU.

Nine infants were present in the affected room at the time. Hospital staff and attendants managed to evacuate all nine babies, of whom three died. The infants were premature and were undergoing treatment, including for jaundice, officials said.

Amravati Deputy Commissioner of Police Shyam Ghuge said the fire was confined to one room of the NICU and was extinguished within around 30 minutes. “There was a technical fault in the thermal unit, following which the fire broke out. The attendants immediately took out the nine babies from the room, of whom three died,” he said.

“We will conduct a further investigation to ascertain why the fire broke out and whether all the required fire-safety norms were being followed at the government hospital. The technical equipment involved in the incident, as well as the fire-safety arrangements at the hospital, are likely to be examined as part of the probe.”

Ghuge said further investigation would be conducted to establish the exact cause of the fire.

Fadnavis announces Rs 5 lakh compensation for families of deceased

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the incident, shared a post on X, saying: “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. The state government will provide financial assistance of 5 lakh rupees to the families of the deceased,” he said.

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The health administration has been ordered to launch a high-level inquiry into this incident.

Ankita Deshkar

Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read More

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