NICU Fire at Chhindwara Hospital Kills Newborn, Injures Two
Public Lokpal
August 22, 2026
NICU Fire at Chhindwara Hospital Kills Newborn, Injures Two
A tragic fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Chhindwara District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh, claiming the life of one newborn and leaving two others with burn injuries.
The blaze reportedly erupted from a spark in the heating filament of a radiant warmer inside the oxygen-dense ward. Out of 33 infants present, staff successfully evacuated 30 babies.
Three injured newborns were rushed to Jabalpur Medical College for specialized care, but one baby succumbed to injuries during treatment.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage, prompting opposition leaders to demand strict state-wide hospital safety audits and accountability.
Meanwhile, local authorities have launched a formal administrative inquiry to investigate the exact cause of the disaster and review emergency response protocols across regional healthcare facilities to prevent future tragedies.