Three Newborns Die in Fire at Amravati Government Hospital

Amravati, Maharashtra, August 24, 2026. Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit of the District Women's Hospital in Amravati early on Monday morning.

The fire was reported around 3.30 a.m. Senior Police Inspector Gorakhnath Jadhav of Gadage Nagar Police Station said emergency evacuation of dozens of infants undergoing treatment was carried out. Three of the newborns did not survive.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Hospital and district authorities have ordered an inquiry into safety protocols and the response. The Special Newborn Care Unit treats premature and critically ill infants, making any disruption especially serious.

Local officials confirmed that other infants were moved to safety. The incident has prompted questions about fire safety standards in government medical facilities that house high-dependency neonatal units.

Maharashtra's health department is expected to review similar units across the state. Families of the deceased infants are receiving support from district administration while the investigation proceeds.

The deaths highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining critical care infrastructure in public hospitals, particularly in smaller cities where specialised equipment and staff operate under continuous demand.