Home / Disasters and Accidents / Amravati NICU Fire: 3 Newborns Perish in Ventilator Blaze
Amravati NICU Fire: 3 Newborns Perish in Ventilator Blaze
7 Sep
Summary
- A fire in Amravati's District Women Hospital NICU claimed three newborn lives.
- Preliminary findings suggest a ventilator sparked the fatal blaze.
- An investigation committee was formed to probe the incident.
A fire erupted in the Special Newborn Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the District Women Hospital in Amravati on August 24, tragically claiming the lives of three newborn infants. The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m., with preliminary investigations pointing to a ventilator as the source of the spark that ignited the blaze. Thirty-six babies were rescued from the third-floor unit, with two sustaining burn injuries.
In the aftermath, authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation. A seven-member committee, headed by Public Health Commissioner Sanjay Katkar, was formed and tasked with submitting its report within eight days. This committee is examining potential ventilator and electrical faults, fire-audit history, and administrative lapses. The hospital, established in 1938 and formerly known as Dufferin Hospital, serves multiple districts.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for each family that lost a newborn and pledged full government coverage for the treatment of injured infants. Concerns have also been raised regarding the hospital's fire safety protocols, with records indicating prior warnings about fire safety systems needing renewal. The investigation into this critical incident is ongoing, with a focus on fixing responsibility.
