A devastating fire engulfed the trauma ICU of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital late Sunday night, leading to the deaths of six patients and leaving five others in critical condition. The blaze has sparked outrage and demands for accountability from victims’ families and officials alike.
The fire broke out in the trauma ICU, where many patients were already in vulnerable states, including some in comas. Hospital staff rushed to evacuate those inside, but dense smoke and blazing flames hampered efforts. Several patients were shifted out amid chaos, while others could not be saved despite emergency measures.
Authorities said initial signs point to a short circuit as the potential cause of the blaze, which spread rapidly through the section. Investigators have registered a formal inquiry, with the Forensic Science Laboratory called in to collect evidence and determine the exact origin and sequence of events.
Hospital administration and state officials are under intense pressure to explain how such an incident could occur in one of Rajasthan’s premier medical facilities. Questions are being raised about safety protocols, electrical maintenance and emergency preparedness in critical care units.
State and central leaders reacted swiftly. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital to assess the damage, meet victims’ families and review rescue operations. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and called for swift action and a thorough investigation into the cause and lapses.
Family members of the deceased have voiced allegations of negligence, with some claiming that staff rushed away when smoke first appeared. Protests erupted as relatives demanded full disclosure of the incident, accountability for hospital management and assurances that justice would be delivered.
Officials say a high-level committee will oversee the inquiry. It is expected that hospital records, maintenance logs, CCTV footage and electrical diagrams will be scrutinised in detail. Meanwhile, care continues for the critically injured, who remain under intensive observation in adjacent units.
This tragic fire has shaken trust in hospital safety, especially in critical wards where patients depend on life-support systems. As the investigation proceeds, the focus will now be on learning lessons, enforcing stricter safety compliance and preventing recurrence of such disasters in healthcare institutions.
