Fire Tragedy at Jaipur Hospital Claims Six Lives

A devastating fire broke out in the Trauma ICU of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night, resulting in the deaths of six patients. Hospital officials confirmed the incident early Monday morning, attributing the fire to a suspected short circuit. Dr. Anurag Dhakad, in charge of the trauma centre, reported that the fire started in the trauma ICU on the second floor and quickly spread, releasing toxic fumes throughout the ward.

At the time of the incident, there were 24 patients in the trauma centre, with 11 in the trauma ICU and 13 in a semi-ICU. Dr. Dhakad stated, "A short circuit occurred in the trauma ICU, and the fire spread rapidly, releasing toxic gases." Most of the patients were in a comatose state, making evacuation challenging. Hospital staff, including nursing officers and ward boys, worked swiftly to move as many patients as possible to safety using trolleys. Despite their efforts, six critically ill patients could not be revived despite attempts at CPR.

Among the deceased were two women and four men, while five other patients remain in critical condition. Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, with the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team involved in the inquiry. He stated, "While it appears to be a short circuit at first glance, confirmation will follow the FSL’s report."

The incident caused panic as thick smoke filled the ICU, leading to distress among the relatives of the patients. Puran Singh, a relative of a patient, described the chaos, saying, "When there was a spark, a cylinder was nearby. Smoke quickly filled the ward, causing everyone to flee in panic. Some managed to rescue their loved ones, but mine was left alone in the room."

Another relative, Narendra Singh, expressed his shock, stating, "I had gone downstairs to have dinner. There wasn’t even any equipment to douse the fire, no facilities at all. My mother was admitted there." Om Prakash, whose relative was also in the ICU, recounted how he warned the staff about the smoke, but they did not respond adequately.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital to assess the situation and provide support. He expressed condolences for the lives lost and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. The hospital administration is prioritizing the treatment of the remaining patients and is expected to release further details soon.

This tragic event has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in hospitals, prompting calls for immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.