International Desk: At least 10 children were killed in a hospital firre in Maharashtra, India at around 2 AM. The fire broke out in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara District General Hospital around 2am local time on Friday (January 8).

The baies died were aged between a few days and three months. The nurses on duty noticrd smoke and the staffs of the hospital tried to extinguish the fire said the doctors. Ten children died before firefighters arrived at the scene. However, seven children were rescued alive.

The civil surgeon of the hospital told India Today that a nurse informed him after seeing a coil of smoke in the hospital. "As soon as I got the news, I rushed to the spot. This hospital is very good for newborns. But unfortunately 10 children died. The other 7 children are safe".

The fire brigade initially thought that a short circuit set off the blaze. The concerned authorities have been ordered to probe into the incident.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deep shock at the incident: In a Tweet he wrote"Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible".

NDTV