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Health
Three newborns burned in NICU warmer fire at Chhindwara hospital, one dies
✍️ Amar Ujala · Jabalpur
🗓 22 Aug 2026, 11:48 AM
👁 1
A spark in a NICU warmer at Chhindwara district hospital ignited a fire around 2 a.m., burning three newborns; one child succumbed while the others were transferred to Jabalpur Medical College for further care.
A fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) warmer at Chhindwara district hospital on the night of Friday into Saturday, shortly after 2 a.m., after a spark ignited the equipment. The blaze directly affected three newborn infants who were placed in the warmer at the time.
Medical staff administered immediate first‑aid to the infants and then transferred them to Jabalpur Medical College for advanced treatment. Despite these efforts, one of the newborns could not be saved and died during the subsequent care.
The incident has prompted the hospital administration to launch an internal inquiry into the cause of the malfunction and to review safety protocols for critical care equipment. Local authorities have been notified, and an investigation is underway to determine any negligence or technical failure.
Health officials have urged hospitals across the state to conduct regular maintenance checks on life‑support devices to prevent similar tragedies. The families of the affected infants have been offered counseling and support services.
No further casualties were reported, and the NICU has been temporarily closed pending safety inspections.
Medical staff administered immediate first‑aid to the infants and then transferred them to Jabalpur Medical College for advanced treatment. Despite these efforts, one of the newborns could not be saved and died during the subsequent care.
The incident has prompted the hospital administration to launch an internal inquiry into the cause of the malfunction and to review safety protocols for critical care equipment. Local authorities have been notified, and an investigation is underway to determine any negligence or technical failure.
Health officials have urged hospitals across the state to conduct regular maintenance checks on life‑support devices to prevent similar tragedies. The families of the affected infants have been offered counseling and support services.
No further casualties were reported, and the NICU has been temporarily closed pending safety inspections.