# Infant dies in Telangana hospital fire after AC blast

2026-09-22T03:57:06+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

A five-day-old infant died after an air conditioner explosion sparked a fire in the neonatal ward of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Adilabad late Monday night. The district collector confirmed 24 babies were in the NICU at the time, 23 were evacuated and shifted to other hospitals. Officials have ordered a detailed enquiry into the cause and potential safety lapses. The News Minute, however, reports that two babies died, including a preterm infant on ventilator support, and states 27 babies were in the ward. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has ordered an inquiry and directed hospitals to strengthen safety measures to prevent future incidents. Police have registered a case, and further details are awaited.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The three accounts converge on an AC-related fire and the death of at least one infant but diverge on the casualty count. India Today reports one death, The News Minute reports two, one a preterm baby on a ventilator, while Times of India leaves the number open. The News Minute also adds the detail of staff breaking glass walls to evacuate, a seriousness the other two omit. The government response, led by the district collector, is uniformly reported, but with no statement on the discrepancy in deaths. The differing figures suggest the official count remains unsettled. The state-ordered inquiry by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy will be the mechanism to resolve this and assign responsibility for any safety lapses.

## Coverage

- indiatoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/telangana/story/adilabad-rims-nicu-fire-ac-explosion-kills-five-day-old-infant-in-telangana-2999957-2026-09-22?utm_source=rss>
  Leads with one infant death, quotes district collector ordering enquiry, adds context of previous fire in Amravati.
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/5-day-old-infant-dies-after-fire-breaks-out-at-telanganas-rims-hospital-28-newborns-rescued/articleshow/134401145.cms>
  Leads with one infant death, 28 newborns rescued, cause unconfirmed, fewest details.
- thenewsminute.com (government critical) <https://www.thenewsminute.com/telangana/two-babies-killed-in-fire-accident-at-newborn-care-ward-of-telangana-govt-hospital>
  Leads with two babies killed, includes preterm baby detail and chief minister's order for inquiry and safety measures.

Tags: Adilabad, NICU, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Telangana
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