The deadly episode was reportedly caused by a short circuit. Hospital fires are not uncommon in India, which lags in fire preparedness and building safety.

A fire tore through a neonatal intensive care unit in a hospital in northern India, killing 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others.

Ten newborn babies are dead after a fire ravaged a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a hospital in India on Friday, Nov. 15.

At least 10 newborn babies were killed in a fire that engulfed a neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The fire broke out at about 10.45pm (local time) on Friday at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi city, where 49 infants were being treated.

At least 16 children are battling for their lives while 10 newborns died as a fire broke out on Friday night at a hospital at Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh of India. The fire erupted in the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) around 10:45 pm, said District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar, who confirmed the casualties.