A devastating fire broke out late on Monday night (September 21, 2026) in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) hospital in Adilabad, Telangana. The tragedy claimed the lives of three infants, while hospital staff, parents, and emergency responders successfully evacuated around 25–28 other newborns.
The incident occurred around 11:50 p.m. Preliminary reports indicate that an air-conditioning unit in the reception area of the SNCU malfunctioned or suffered a short circuit and burst into flames. Thick smoke quickly filled the enclosed ward, which has glass windows and sections with incubators for premature and critically ill newborns.
What Happened
Parents and hospital staff immediately broke glass windows to release the smoke and began evacuating the babies. Power was switched off, and the infants were moved to an adjacent ward and later shifted to nearby private hospitals in Adilabad and Nizamabad for further treatment. Fire department personnel arrived promptly and brought the blaze under control.
According to officials, one five-day-old preterm infant died at the scene, a second infant (also a few days old) succumbed during treatment later that night or early Tuesday, and a third infant (reported as around 20 days old in some accounts) died on Tuesday morning while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Nizamabad due to smoke inhalation.
Several other infants suffered breathing difficulties from smoke inhalation and remain under medical observation. Two nurses and some hospital staff also sustained burn injuries while carrying out the rescue.
Official Response
Adilabad District Medical and Health Officer Dr. Sadhana and District Collector Rajarshi Shah confirmed the details and said the rescued infants are being monitored closely by paediatricians. Police have registered a case, and an investigation into the exact cause is underway.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the deaths, described the incident as extremely tragic, and ordered a thorough inquiry. He directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to the surviving infants, continuously monitor their condition, and conduct a safety and fire-prevention audit of all government hospitals in the state to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Opposition leaders, including BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, also reacted strongly, demanding better accountability, enhanced medical care for the affected children, and financial assistance for the bereaved families.
A Wake-Up Call for Hospital Safety
This incident has once again highlighted concerns about electrical safety, fire preparedness, and infrastructure maintenance in government hospital neonatal units across India. The SNCU at RIMS Adilabad houses premature babies and infants requiring specialized care, making any fire or smoke incident particularly dangerous.
Authorities have assured that action will be taken if negligence is established. Families of the deceased infants are receiving support, and the condition of the remaining babies continues to be monitored.