The fire broke out at about 11:40 p.m. on Sept. 21 after an air‑conditioner in the unit’s reception area burst into flames, officials said.
Initial reports recorded the death of a five‑day‑old infant at the scene and a four‑day‑old infant a few hours later; a third female infant was declared dead while being transferred to a nearby hospital.
On the night of Sept. 22, two additional premature babies – each born between 26 and 28 weeks of gestation and weighing roughly one kilogram – succumbed to injuries sustained in the blaze, raising the death toll to five, according to District Medical and Health Officer Sadhana.
Rescue teams managed to evacuate as many as 25 infants from the unit. The children have been relocated to a mix of government and private hospitals in the vicinity, where medical teams are monitoring their condition and providing intensive care.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has ordered a formal inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and assess safety lapses at the facility.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha visited RIMS Adilabad on Tuesday, met with the grieving families, and pledged full government support. He also reviewed the status of the rescued infants and instructed doctors to ensure they receive the best possible care.