A fire broke out at a private children’s hospital in Vijayawada; all patients safe
A police officer inspects the emergency ward of Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Vijayawada, which was burnt down on Wednesday. | Photo credit: Special arrangement
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 taken to a nearby hospital, fire officials said.
Smoke billowed from the emergency room and then spread to the first floor. Panicked nurses and hospital staff moved the babies to safer places.
A fire broke out in the children’s ward.
When a huge fire broke out at Vijayawada Rainbow Hospital, patients and their family members panicked.#Vijayawada#RainbowHospital#Fire accident#UANowpic.twitter.com/uS8UroOVnt
— Andhra Pradesh Youth Congress (@AP_pyc) June 17, 2026
Andhra Pradesh Disaster Response Force and Fire Services Additional Director G. Srinivasulu said a fire detection system and sprinklers alerted the hospital staff. Fire tenders from Vijayawada and Auto Nagar rushed to the spot and doused the flames, said Mr. Srinivasulu, who monitored the operation.
A fire destroyed the emergency department of Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Vijayawada on Wednesday morning. All babies and children were evacuated and no casualties were reported. Firefighters suspect a short circuit.
Photo: Special arrangement pic.twitter.com/TCWu68v2sf
— The Hindu – Andhra Pradesh (@THAndhra) June 17, 2026
“The fire control staff received a call at 8.12 am and we reached the spot in three minutes. The children who were treated in the wards were immediately evacuated,” said NTR District Fire Officer (DFO) AV Shankar Rao.
Deputy 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 companions were safe, AKT said.
Suspected short circuit
“We suspect that the fire was caused by a short circuit which led to the burning of the air conditioner in the accident ward. A thorough investigation is underway,” said another director of fire services.
“Firemen opened windows and emergency doors and sprayed water to prevent the fire from spreading. Doctors and other hospital staff cooperated with fire and police personnel to douse the flames and evacuate,” said the fire officer (SFO) of Auto Nagar station.
As a precautionary measure, more children have been evacuated from the hospital, said K. Naresh, Fire Protection Wing of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC).
A major tragedy was averted because the fire broke out during the day and the fire alarm and water system responded, firefighters said.
The management of Duha Children’s Hospital was not available for comment.
Published – 17 Jun 2026 12:59 IST