Jaipur: Six Patients Killed in Fire at Sawai Man Singh Hospital Trauma Centre

A devastating fire broke out late Sunday night at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital's trauma centre in Jaipur, claiming the lives of six critical patients. The blaze erupted in the Neuro ICU's storage area, reportedly triggered by a short circuit.

Dr. Anurag Dhakad, in charge of the trauma centre, confirmed that 11 patients were present when the fire began. "Six of them-two women and four men-lost their lives in the incident," he said. The deceased have been identified as Pintu (Sikar), Dilip (Andhi, Jaipur), Shrinath, Rukmini, Khurma (Bharatpur), and Bahadur (Sanganer, Jaipur). Fourteen other patients in a nearby ICU were safely relocated.

Firefighters Battle Flames Amid Chaos

Firefighters reached the hospital within minutes of the alert and brought the situation under control in about two hours. Dense smoke engulfed the entire ICU ward, forcing responders to break windows to release fumes and access the fire. Panic spread quickly among patients and their families as black smoke filled the corridors.

The flames gutted vital ICU supplies, including medical documents, equipment, and blood sample tubes. In a desperate effort, hospital staff and attendants pushed beds and stretchers outside, moving patients through smoke-filled passages to safety.

Top Officials Visit the Site

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, visited the site to assess the damage and oversee rescue efforts. However, chaos erupted when family members accused hospital staff of abandoning patients during the blaze.

"We noticed smoke and informed the staff, but they ignored it," said one distraught attendee. "When the fire spread, they were the first to run. No one is telling us the condition of our relatives."

Hospital Safety Under Scrutiny

The tragedy has sparked serious concerns about fire safety and emergency preparedness at one of Rajasthan's largest hospitals. Eyewitnesses reported the rapid spread of smoke and delayed response from hospital personnel, raising questions about compliance with safety norms.

Chief Minister Sharma interacted with doctors and patients affected by the incident, promising a thorough investigation and strict accountability for any lapses.

As rescue and recovery continue, the tragedy at SMS Hospital stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need to strengthen fire safety protocols in healthcare facilities across the state.