Three babies were killed and several hospital staff members were injured after a fire broke out in the neonatal care unit of a government hospital in India's southern Telangana state.

The fire broke out late Monday night at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Government Hospital in Adilabad district, located about 300 kilometres north of Telangana's capital Hyderabad.

The blaze started in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), where newborn babies were receiving treatment. According to officials, three infants died in the incident, while 28 children were safely evacuated from the unit.

A local government official said the fire started at around 11:50 pm local time, quickly filling the ward with flames and thick smoke. As smoke surrounded the incubators, parents and hospital staff broke windows to help rescue the babies.

Several hospital employees suffered burn injuries and were treated following the incident.

Preliminary assessments suggested that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit, although officials said a detailed investigation would determine the exact cause.

Authorities have launched an inquiry into the incident, while officials also stressed the need to review fire safety measures at medical facilities.

The incident has raised renewed concerns over safety standards in hospitals, particularly in neonatal units where vulnerable newborns require specialised care.(ILKHA)