Fire Triggered by Ventilator Explosion Kills Three Newborns at Hospital in Maharashtra

Mumbai: Three newborn infants lost their lives after a blaze erupted inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Amravati District Women's Hospital in Maharashtra early Monday morning, officials confirmed.

According to reports, the fire originated around 3.30 am after a ventilator exploded on the third floor of the government-run hospital, a section where 39 newborns were being treated at the time of the incident.

Hospital personnel, including doctors and nursing staff, moved swiftly to carry out an emergency evacuation, ensuring the safety of the infants. Six of the newborns were later transferred to a super-speciality hospital for continued medical care.

Despite the rapid response, three babies sustained severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation, ultimately succumbing to their injuries, officials said.

Authorities have yet to determine what caused the ventilator to explode or how the fire subsequently spread, with an official investigation into the accident now underway.