The blaze broke out at about 3:30 a.m. on the third floor, where 39 infants were receiving treatment. Doctors, nurses and other staff sprang into action, disconnecting equipment and evacuating babies from the ward as smoke spread through the unit.
Despite the emergency response, three of the infants succumbed to severe burns and smoke inhalation. Six critically affected newborns were moved to a nearby Super Speciality Hospital for advanced care. Hospital authorities said the remaining babies were being monitored and treated locally.
Local fire and rescue teams reached the hospital shortly after the alarm and extinguished the flames. Officials have begun an initial inquiry into the cause of the explosion. Hospital spokespeople said the preliminary assessment points to a ventilator malfunction, but a detailed technical probe is under way.
District health officials expressed condolences to the families and said they would provide full support to the affected parents. Senior administrators promised an internal review of equipment maintenance and safety protocols at the SNCU.
Further details, including the identities of the deceased infants and the findings of the technical investigation, are awaited.