Fire at Adilabad RIMS newborn unit kills two infants, 25 rescued
Two preterm infants died after a fire broke out in the SNCU ward of RIMS Adilabad late on Monday; 25 other babies were rescued and shifted to private hospitals.
Two newborn infants died after a fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Telangana's Adilabad district late on Monday night. The blaze was reported around 11.50 p.m.
Twenty-five other infants admitted to the ward were rescued and evacuated in time, and were later shifted to nearby private hospitals for further care.
According to District Medical and Health Officer Dr. Sadhana, the fire began after an air-conditioner in the reception area of the SNCU burst into flames.
Describing the layout of the unit, the DMHO said the SNCU has two sections, with 11 beds on one side and 13 on the other, while the Kangaroo Mother Care area opposite the SNCU has four beds. Because the sections are enclosed and fitted with glass windows, smoke accumulated inside the unit after the fire started. Attendants of patients broke the glass windows to let the smoke out and helped move the babies away from the affected areas, she said.
The two infants who died were preterm, aged five days and four days respectively. One died immediately after the incident, while the other succumbed about four hours later.
A fire tender was rushed to the hospital after information about the blaze was received, and the fire was brought under control. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed his condolences to the families of the two infants, describing the loss as extremely tragic. He directed officials to ensure better medical treatment for the children still undergoing care at the hospital and to continuously monitor their health. The Chief Minister also ordered an inquiry and asked officials to submit a report on what caused the fire, besides instructing authorities to strengthen fire and other safety measures in hospitals across the State to prevent similar incidents.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha also expressed grief and extended his condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of the government's support. A note from the minister's office said the condition of the other children who were in the ward at the time of the incident was stable and that none had developed complications. The minister instructed officials to immediately begin an inquiry into the cause of the fire.