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Telangana : A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad, Telangana, after a sudden fire broke out inside the hospital’s Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) late Monday night, resulting in the deaths of two newborn babies and triggering a frantic rescue operation to save dozens of other infants. The fire reportedly erupted at around 11:50 PM, when the neonatal unit was filled with newborns requiring intensive medical care.
Within moments, thick smoke reportedly spread through the ward, creating a highly dangerous situation for the fragile infants, hospital staff and attendants. As panic spread, hospital personnel and rescue teams immediately moved into action, working under extremely difficult conditions to evacuate the babies from the smoke-filled unit.
Twenty-eight other newborns were successfully rescued and moved to safety, where they were provided medical attention and monitoring. Firefighters also rushed to the hospital and managed to bring the blaze under control, preventing the situation from escalating further.
A preliminary assessment has reportedly suggested that a short circuit involving an air-conditioning unit may have triggered the fire, although the exact cause is yet to be conclusively established and a detailed investigation is underway. The deaths of the two newborns have sent shockwaves through the hospital and the local community, with the incident raising serious questions about fire-prevention and electrical safety arrangements in critical-care hospital units. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of the two infants and conveyed his condolences to their bereaved families.
He directed officials to ensure that all rescued babies receive immediate and appropriate medical treatment and ordered a high-level investigation into the incident. Authorities have also been directed to conduct comprehensive inspections of electrical systems, fire alarms, emergency exits and fire-safety equipment in hospitals across Telangana, with the aim of identifying potential risks and strengthening safety measures.
As investigators work to determine exactly how the fire started and whether any safety lapses contributed to the tragedy, the focus remains on the health of the rescued infants and on ensuring that such a devastating incident is not repeated.
