Rajasthan Hospital Fire Kills 6: Staff Ignored Warnings?
Six critical patients perish in Jaipur hospital blaze chaos.
A devastating fire at the trauma centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur claimed the lives of six critical patients late Sunday night, officials confirmed. The blaze, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit, erupted in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, leading to widespread panic and chaos.
Dr. Anurag Dhakad, the trauma centre in-charge, reported that 11 patients were under treatment in the Neuro ICU when the fire broke out. The victims were identified as Pintu from Sikar, Dilip from Andhi (Jaipur), Shrinath, Rukmini, and Khurma from Bharatpur, and Bahadur from Sanganer (Jaipur). “Six patients, including two women and four men, tragically lost their lives,” Dr. Dhakad said. “Fourteen other patients in a separate ICU were safely evacuated to secure locations.”
The fire rapidly engulfed the storage area, destroying vital hospital equipment, documents, and blood sample tubes. Thick smoke filled the trauma centre, disorienting patients, families, and staff. Hospital workers and patient attendants acted swiftly, evacuating patients—some still in their beds—to safety outside the building. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to control the blaze within two hours, but not before significant damage was done.
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Vikas, a ward boy at the hospital, recounted the harrowing experience to PTI. “We were in the operating theatre when we heard about the fire. We rushed to the Neuro ICU and managed to save three or four patients before the flames became too intense. We did everything we could, but the smoke and fire made it impossible to re-enter,” he said. He noted that police arrived later but were initially unable to enter due to the dense smoke. Firefighters eventually broke a window on the opposite side of the building to combat the blaze.
The incident sparked outrage among patients’ families, who alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about the fire. “We saw smoke and alerted the staff, but they didn’t take it seriously. When the fire broke out, they fled first, leaving us in the dark about our loved ones’ conditions,” said an anguished attendant. Families expressed frustration over the lack of communication from hospital authorities regarding the status of their relatives.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, visited the trauma centre to assess the situation. The leaders met with doctors and patients, seeking to address concerns and ensure support for those affected. However, the initial response from hospital staff drew sharp criticism from families, who felt abandoned during the crisis.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about safety protocols at SMS Hospital, one of Rajasthan’s premier medical facilities. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and evaluate whether negligence contributed to the loss of life. As the community mourns, calls for accountability and improved safety measures grow louder.
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