New Delhi - At least five newborns were killed Saturday after a fire broke out in the maternity ward of a government-run hospital in India's northern state of Punjab, officials said.

The tragedy occurred at Rajendra Hospital in Patiala city, 60 kilometres south of the state capital, Chandigarh, city police chief Gurmit Chauhan told reporters.

A total of 10 children receiving treatment for jaundice were kept in phototherapy units when the machines caught fire, apparently due to a short-circuit, he said.

"There was a short circuit in the tubes of the machines," hospital superintendent Surinder Singh told a local news channel.

"The staff reacted immediately, but unfortunately, five babies could not be saved," Singh said.

The infants were all less than a week old.

Five other babies suffered serious burns but their injuries were not life-threatening, doctors said. They were taken to a top government hospital in Chandigarh.

Some hospital staff reportedly alleged that the machines were substandard. The Punjab government ordered an inquiry.

State authorities also announced compensation of 100,000 rupees (2,040 dollars) to the victims' families. (dpa)