DIVYA DELHI : Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra, early Monday morning. The fire reportedly started around 3:15–3:30 am after a ventilator caught fire or exploded in the unit. At the time, 39 newborns were receiving care. Hospital doctors, nurses and other staff immediately launched an emergency evacuation, disconnecting medical equipment and moving babies away from the affected area. Six infants requiring further treatment were shifted to a nearby super-speciality hospital. The three deceased babies reportedly suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation. The incident has brought renewed attention to the difficulties involved in moving critically ill newborns who depend on ventilators and other life-support equipment. Such babies require continuous oxygen, ventilation, monitoring and temperature control, making emergency transfers especially complex. Authorities have ordered an inquiry to determine what caused the equipment failure and whether safety protocols were properly followed. Officials said the hospital had undergone fire audits, while the investigation is now focusing on the suspected equipment failure.
