Full Breakdown
Fire at Telangana’s RIMS Neonatal Unit Claims Infant Lives
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
Late Monday night, an air-conditioning unit in the Special Newborn Care Unit (Special Neonatal Care Unit (SNCU)) of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad, Telangana, ignited and filled the ward with thick smoke. The blaze forced staff, attendants and emergency responders to evacuate the newborns. The fire was brought under control by a fire tender that arrived promptly.
Immediate Response and Evacuation
Witnesses described the ward as quickly becoming opaque with smoke. Attendants broke the glass windows to vent the smoke and, together with hospital staff, carried infants out of the unit, covering their faces with shirts or cloth. The rescued babies were transferred by ambulance to nearby private hospitals for continued care.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed grief, directed that the infants receive advanced medical care, and ordered a detailed inquiry with a written report.
- State Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha conveyed condolences, assured families of government support, and noted that the condition of the remaining children was stable with no complications reported.
- District Medical and Health Officer Dr Sadhana said patient attendants broke the windows to allow smoke to escape and helped evacuate the babies.
- District Collector Rajarshi Shah confirmed that staff, fire services, police and medical officials acted immediately, that power was cut off, and that a comprehensive inquiry would determine the exact cause and any safety lapses.
Data & Statistics
- The SNCU housed between 24 and 28 infants at the time of the fire, according to various officials.
- All infants were evacuated; 20–25 were shifted to private hospitals, while a few were taken home by parents after stabilising.
- Reported deaths range from two to three pre-term infants, each aged four to five days.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Number of infants present: Sources cite 24, 25, 27 and 28 infants in the unit, indicating uncertainty about the exact occupancy at the moment of the fire.
- Cause of fire: While all reports attribute the ignition to an air-conditioner malfunction or short circuit, some describe an “explosion” of the unit, and the precise technical failure remains under investigation.
- Condition of survivors: Most officials assert that the surviving infants are stable, yet some reports note that a few are in critical condition, highlighting a gap in consistent health updates.
Verbatim Quote
- “Twenty infants are still admitted in different hospitals, while four others were taken home by their parents after their condition became stable.” — senior police official
What’s Next
The state government has formed an expert committee to conduct a comprehensive safety audit of RIMS, covering electrical, fire-safety and structural standards. Recommendations will address repairs, infrastructure upgrades, staff recruitment and the establishment of an emergency wing. Officials have been instructed to submit a final inquiry report within the stipulated timeframe.
