A fire broke out late Sunday night in the trauma ICU of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming the lives of six patients and leaving five in critical condition. Police and hospital authorities are investigating, with a short circuit suspected as the cause.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said, “At first glance, it appears to be a short circuit, but the final cause will only be determined after the FSL investigation.”
Incident details
According to Trauma Centre In-charge Anurag Dhakad, the fire began in the trauma ICU on the second floor, which has 11 patients, and quickly spread, releasing toxic gases. The adjacent semi-ICU housed 13 patients, all of whom were evacuated to safer locations.
“Our trauma centre team, nursing officers, and ward staff immediately rescued as many patients as possible,” Dhakad said. “Despite efforts to revive the critically ill, six patients succumbed to injuries caused by smoke and toxic gases.”
Of the deceased, four were men and two were women. Rescue operations were completed shortly after the blaze was controlled. Authorities are currently assessing the facility for damage and safety lapses.
Allegations of negligence
Several relatives alleged delayed response and inadequate safety measures. Puran Singh said, “Smoke spread throughout the ICU; some managed to rescue their own patients, but mine was left alone.”
Other accounts highlighted absence of firefighting equipment and staff abandoning patients during the blaze.
- Om Prakash recounted, “Doctors and compounders had fled by the time smoke intensified. My maternal aunt’s son, who was about to be discharged, died in the incident.”
- Jogendra Singh added, “I alerted the doctors several times about the spark, but they dismissed it. My mother and brother were trapped until I managed to rescue him; my mother remains in critical condition.”
Poll: Should hospitals be required to improve ICU safety regulations?
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