Adilabad, Telangana — September 22, 2026:

A heartbreaking fire accident at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital in Adilabad, Telangana, claimed the lives of three newborn babies and raised serious concerns about hospital fire safety. The incident occurred in the hospital’s Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), where premature and critically ill infants were receiving treatment.

Adilabad RIMS Hospital Fire: Three Newborns Die, Safety Probe Ordered

Adilabad, Telangana, September 22, 2026: Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Government Hospital in Adilabad late Monday night.

According to officials and reports from the incident, the fire broke out at around 11:40–11:50 pm in the neonatal unit. Preliminary information indicated that a short circuit or malfunction involving an air-conditioning unit may have triggered the fire. However, the exact cause is yet to be established and remains under investigation.

The unit was treating newborns, including premature and critically ill babies. Thick smoke spread through the ward after the fire, prompting hospital staff, relatives and emergency personnel to begin an evacuation. Reports said 28 babies were rescued and moved to safety, with some subsequently shifted to other hospitals for treatment.

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the incident. Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarasimha said an expert committee would examine the cause of the fire, possible safety and administrative lapses, and measures required to prevent similar incidents.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has also directed authorities to undertake safety-related inspections following the incident. The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the fire and the hospital's fire and electrical safety arrangements.

Police and fire officials are continuing their investigation into the incident. Further findings will determine the exact cause of the fire and whether any safety-related shortcomings contributed to the tragedy.

According to officials, the fire is believed to have started after an air conditioner malfunctioned late at night, causing thick smoke to spread rapidly across the neonatal ward. At the time, around 30 babies were admitted to the unit. Doctors, nurses, hospital staff, and firefighters immediately launched a rescue operation and safely evacuated 28 infants to nearby hospitals.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a high-level investigation and directed authorities to inspect fire safety systems in government hospitals across the state. Officials are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of the tragedy.