7 Patients Killed in Massive Fire at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital; Short Circuit Suspected
Jaipur (The Uttam Hindu): A devastating fire broke out late Sunday night in the Trauma ICU of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming the lives of seven patients and leaving five others critically injured. The fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, spread rapidly through the ward within minutes, turning the intensive care unit into a scene of chaos and tragedy.
Hospital in-charge Jagdish Modi stated that the preliminary investigation suggests a short circuit as the likely cause of the blaze. The fire engulfed the ICU ward so quickly that staff had little time to react, leading to panic among patients and attendants. Despite the hospital staff’s swift response in shifting patients to other wards, several lives were lost to the intense flames and suffocating smoke.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph confirmed that the fire was eventually brought under control after a prolonged firefighting operation, but the ICU ward was completely gutted. He added that the dense smoke made rescue operations extremely difficult. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours to douse the flames and rescue the trapped patients.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of horror as panic spread throughout the hospital. Some hospital staff tried to extinguish the fire while others helped move patients to safety. Several victims reportedly died due to asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation.
Among the victims’ families, grief and disbelief prevailed. Narendra, who lost his mother in the fire, said, “Her condition was improving. She was supposed to be moved to a normal ward by afternoon, but the tragedy struck before that.” Another family member recounted how his nephew suffocated while trying to save his aunt from the flames.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma rushed to the site to oversee rescue and relief efforts. He expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to provide full assistance to the injured. An official inquiry has been ordered into the incident.