Fortaleza Maternity Hospital Shuts Indefinitely After Substation Fire Triggers Mass Evacuation

Overview

• The blaze originated in the hospital’s external power substation, was contained in roughly 15 minutes, and caused no injuries or damage to patient-care areas, according to officials.
• All patients were relocated, including 117 babies and 153 women, with transfers distributed across eight municipal and state hospitals in Fortaleza.
• Enel reported an internal defect in the hospital’s local energy network, executed an emergency shutdown, and deployed generators to sustain critical neonatal services.
• Health authorities confirmed the substation had maintenance the day before the incident, and forensic and technical inquiries are underway as the facility remains closed for safety evaluations.
• Staff and local volunteers moved neonates from incubators to nearby shops for temporary power, with the first call logged at about 10:50 a.m. and the situation controlled by approximately 11:30 a.m.