Amravati hospital fire: 7-member probe panel, report in 7 days
Synopsis
Three newborns died after a suspected ventilator spark ignited a fire in the NICU of Amravati's Dufferin Hospital. Maharashtra has now formed a seven-member probe committee — headed by the Public Health Services Commissioner and including an AIIMS Nagpur doctor — with a seven-day deadline. CM Fadnavis has promised ₹5 lakh compensation per family and vowed the 'strictest possible action' against those responsible.
Key Takeaways
The Maharashtra government constituted a seven-member committee on 25 August to probe the Amravati Dufferin Hospital NICU fire .
Three newborn babies died in the blaze; a ventilator spark is the preliminary suspected cause.
The committee, chaired by Public Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar , must submit its report within seven days .
CM Devendra Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh compensation for each of the three deceased infants' families.
The ventilator supplier's technical team has been summoned to inspect devices and record statements before the panel.
The Maharashtra government has constituted a seven-member committee to investigate the fire at the District Women's Hospital (Dufferin Hospital) in Amravati that killed three newborn babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with a mandate to submit its findings within seven days. District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar announced the development on Tuesday, 25 August, a day after the tragedy shook the region.
Committee Composition and Mandate
The probe panel will be chaired by Public Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar. Its members include a doctor from AIIMS Nagpur, a Chief Engineer from the Electrical Department, and four other specialists with expertise in the medical field. The committee is set to begin its site visit and proceedings the day after the announcement.
According to DM Yerekar, the panel will record statements from all personnel present at the hospital during the incident, in addition to examining the equipment involved. He also conducted a full inspection of the facility on Tuesday in preparation for the committee's visit.
Ventilator Spark Suspected as Cause
Preliminary assessments suggest that a spark originating from a ventilator in the NICU may have triggered the fire, according to DM Yerekar. The technical team of the company that supplied the ventilators has been summoned to inspect the devices and record their statements before the committee.
'They have been asked to submit the answers in writing,' Yerekar said, adding that the technical team would appear before the committee to give their account. The DM also assessed damage to medical equipment during his personal inspection and posed specific technical questions to the team.
What the Government Said
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep condolences a day earlier, calling the deaths 'extremely tragic and heart-wrenching.' He directed both the Health Minister and the Health Secretary to visit Amravati immediately. 'The strictest possible action will be taken against those responsible for this incident,' Fadnavis said.
The Chief Minister also announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the three deceased infants. 'Even though we cannot return the lives lost in the tragedy, the families of the deceased infants will be compensated,' he stated.
What Happens Next
The seven-member committee's report, due within seven days, will form the basis for any further action by the Maharashtra government, including potential accountability proceedings against hospital staff or equipment suppliers. The ventilator manufacturer's technical team is expected to play a central role in establishing the sequence of events that led to the fire.
The Amravati NICU fire adds to a troubling pattern of hospital safety incidents across Maharashtra, raising broader questions about fire-safety compliance and equipment maintenance protocols in public health facilities.
Point of View
But the real accountability test will come after the report lands: will the government act on structural recommendations or stop at individual blame? The involvement of the ventilator supplier's technical team is critical — if procurement shortcuts or maintenance gaps are confirmed, the liability chain extends well beyond the hospital ward. Maharashtra's public health system has faced recurring equipment-quality concerns; without systemic reform, the next NICU fire is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the fire at Amravati's Dufferin Hospital?
Preliminary assessments indicate that a spark from a ventilator in the NICU triggered the fire, according to District Magistrate Ashish Yerekar. The technical team of the ventilator supplier has been summoned to inspect the devices and record statements before the probe committee.
How many babies died in the Amravati hospital fire?
Three newborn babies died as a result of the fire that broke out in the NICU of the District Women's Hospital (Dufferin Hospital) in Amravati, Maharashtra.
Who is heading the probe committee into the Amravati hospital fire?
The seven-member committee is chaired by Public Health Services Commissioner Sanjay Katkar. It also includes a doctor from AIIMS Nagpur, a Chief Engineer from the Electrical Department, and four other members with medical expertise.
What compensation has the Maharashtra government announced for the families?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh each for the families of the three infants who died in the Amravati hospital fire.
When will the probe committee submit its report?
The committee has been directed to submit its report to the Maharashtra government within seven days of its constitution, after which the government will determine the next course of action.
