Jaipur (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night fire at the renowned Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur turned tragic on Sunday, as six patients lost their lives in the Neuro ICU of the trauma wing. The blaze, believed to have started due to an electrical fault, has triggered outrage and grief, with families alleging that early warnings were disregarded by hospital authorities.
The fire is said to have broken out in a storage section adjacent to the ICU, quickly filling the critical care unit with smoke. Hospital staff managed to evacuate some patients, but six individuals—already in fragile condition—could not be saved. Five others were moved to safety and are being treated.
Dr. Anurag Dhakad, head of the trauma centre, stated that an investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause. However, early signs point to a suspected short circuit as the source of the fire.
Outside the hospital, emotions ran high as relatives of the deceased gathered in protest, accusing medical staff of failing to act on prior complaints about flickering lights and burning smells near the ICU area. Some claimed the ward lacked proper fire safety equipment and that initial response efforts were uncoordinated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express sorrow over the loss. Posting in Hindi, he conveyed his condolences to the grieving families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Rajasthan government has ordered a full inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, questions are being raised about the infrastructure and preparedness of one of the state’s largest hospitals. As investigations proceed, the tragedy has cast a harsh spotlight on hospital safety standards and the urgent need for reform.
