A fire broke out at Rainbow Children’s Hospital at Currency Nagar in Vijayawada on Wednesday (June 17, 2026). No casualties were reported, and the patients were shifted to a nearby hospital, Fire Department officials said.

Smoke billowed from the emergency ward and then spread to the first floor. Panicky attendants of the patients and the hospital staff shifted the babies to safer places.

Additional Director, Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Response Force and Fire Services, G. Srinivasulu, said the fire-detection system and sprinklers alerted the hospital staff. Fire tenders from Vijayawada and Auto Nagar rushed to the spot and put out the flames, said Mr. Srinivasulu, who monitored the operation.

“The Fire Control personnel received the call at 8.12 a.m. and we reached the spot in three minutes. The babies, undergoing treatment in the wards, were evacuated immediately,” NTR District Fire Officer (DFO) A.V. Shankar Rao said.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) K. Damodar, who rushed to the spot, said the fire broke out in the emergency ward and smoke spread to the first floor. All the children and their attendants were safe, the ACP said.

Short circuit suspected

“We suspect the fire was caused by a short circuit, which led to an air-conditioner burning in the casualty ward. A thorough investigation is on,” the Fire Services Additional Director said.

“Fire personnel opened the windows and the emergency doors and sprayed water to prevent the fire from spreading. The doctors and other hospital staff cooperated with the fire and police personnel in extinguishing the flames and in the evacuation,” the Auto Nagar Station Fire Officer (SFO) said.

As a precaution, more children were evacuated from the hospital, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Fire Protection Wing SFO K. Naresh said.

A major tragedy was averted as the fire occurred during the day and the fire alarm and water-based system responded, the fire officials said.

The Rainbow Children’s Hospital management was not available for comment.