Jhansi/Lucknow: A devastating fire at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi claimed the lives of 10 newborns, media reports said.

Sixteen children were also critically injured in the fire, NDTV reported, citing officials.

According to the report, the fire broke out at around 10:45 pm on Thursday, said District Magistrate Avinash Kumar.

At the time of the incident, 54 infants were in the NICU.

Rescue teams managed to save 44 of them.

Seven of the 10 deceased infants have been identified, while DNA tests may be used to confirm the identities of the remaining three, according to officials.

Chaos erupted at the hospital on Friday morning after distressed parents, barred from meeting their injured children, staged protests.

Officialssaid concerns about the infants' identities was the reason for the restrictions.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said a suspected short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator likely caused the fire.

Visuals from the site showed charred medical equipment and panicked families outside the hospital.

A grieving mother told ANI she learned about her child's death hours after the incident.

All 16 injured children are receiving medical care, said Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh, adding that all doctors and resources have been mobilized for their treatment.

The Uttar Pradesh government has denied allegations of non-functional fire alarms and safety systems, stating that a fire safety audit was conducted in February, followed by a mock drill in June.

Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, announced a three-tier investigation into the incident, involving the health department, police, and a magisterial inquiry.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered swift rescue efforts, deployed fire-fighting vehicles, and announced Rs 5 lakh in compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured.

He has directed senior officials to submit a report within 12 hours.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy.

"The death of several newborns in the Jhansi hospital fire is heartbreaking. I pray for strength for the bereaved families and a speedy recovery for the injured," President Murmu said.

PM Modi called the incident "heartbreaking" and announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, blamed negligence by the hospital administration and demanded strict action against those responsible.