Seven babies killed & 5 injured after horror blaze breaks out on maternity ward as Delhi cops probe mystery inferno

AT least seven newborn babies were killed and five injured after a horror blaze broke out at a hospital in India.

Dramatic footage shows flames ripping through the New Born Baby Care hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar as cops probe the mystery inferno.

It is understood that some 12 babies have been rescued from the upper floors of the building, but six of those died.

Officials said that another baby passed away before the call to emergency services was made around midnight on Saturday.

One infant is on a ventilator and five others are being treated at a nearby hospital, Hindustan Times reports.

Dehli Fire Services chief Atul Garg said: “The call was about a fire at a baby care centre. There are multiple babies inside.

"The firemen are working there. The fire is being doused and the infants are being rescued."

Deputy commissioner of police Surendra Choudhary added: “All the 12 newborn babies were rescued from the hospital with the help of other people and shifted to East Delhi Advance NICU Hospital in Vivek Vihar for treatment.

"Meanwhile, fire tenders reached the spot and the fire was controlled.

"Out of these babies, six were declared brought dead. All seven dead bodies have been further shifted to GTB Hospital for postmortem.”

Videos from the site show locals in a dramatic rescue operation in the hope of saving all babies.

One group was seen climbing grill bars and ladders to reach the upper floors of the three-storey hospital, carrying newborns to safety. 

Officials revealed that the blaze spread to neighbouring buildings but it was controlled in time.

The fire has now been completely extinguished but the cause of the horror inferno is not yet known.

The blaze also caused multiple oxygen cylinders stored inside the hospital to explode. 

"Fire officer Rajesh told ANI news agency: "Two buildings were affected by the fire, one is the hospital building and two floors of a residential building on the right side also caught fire."

He added that some 11-12 people were rescued and were taken to hospital.

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj commented on the tragedy, stating that "strictest punishment will be ensured for those found negligent."

He wrote on X: "Very unfortunate incident reported. I have asked Secretary (Health) to update about the current situation.

"Culprits will not be spared. Strictest punishment will be ensured for those found negligent or involved in any wrong doing."