A fire broke out in the maternal and child health services block of the Government General Hospital in Nellore city on Sunday evening following a short circuit. The rapid evacuation of patients to other blocks and to a private hospital ensured that there were no injuries.
Naga Revenue Divisional Officer Santosh Anusha, who was present at the nearby AC Subba Reddy Stadium when the incident occurred, rushed to the hospital and alerted revenue and fire department officials. District Collector Himanshu Shukla and Superintendent of Police Ajitha Vejendla reached the spot, reviewed the situation with senior officials and instructed them to take immediate assistance and security measures.
After discussions with the management of KIMS Hospital in the city, the authorities shifted the newborns and children from the maternity ward to KIMS for further medical care. Security personnel and hospital staff safely evacuated other patients to various wards and to the bed block on the first floor.
After receiving information about the incident, GGH District Coordinator Madaparthi Srinivasulu, Hospital Development Committee Directors Mogarala Suresh, Abida Sultana and Dara Malli along with other committee members reached the maternity ward and supervised the movement of pregnant and lactating women.
Telugu Desam Party leader Kotamreddy Giridhar Reddy spoke to hospital authorities and electricity department officials to ascertain the cause of the fire. Clarifying that there was no interruption in power supply to the hospital, Departmental Electricity Engineer K. Raghavendra said the short circuit occurred after an air conditioner unit exploded in one of the rooms of the maternity ward.
Published – 1 March 2026 23:33 IST
