A catastrophic fire at Jaipur's prestigious Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital has claimed six lives and left five patients fighting for survival, while grieving families level serious accusations of negligence and abandonment against hospital staff. The late Sunday night blaze at the Trauma ICU has exposed critical gaps in fire safety protocols and emergency response at one of Rajasthan's leading medical institutions.
The Fire: What Happened?
The tragedy unfolded late Sunday night when a fire erupted in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit on the second floor of SMS Hospital's trauma centre building. While authorities suspect a short circuit as the likely cause, Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph emphasized caution in drawing conclusions.
"At first glance, it appears to be a short circuit, but the final cause will only be determined after the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) investigation," Commissioner Joseph stated, indicating that a thorough probe is underway.
Critical Details of the Incident
At the time of the fire, the trauma centre's second floor housed two intensive care units caring for 24 critically ill patients—11 in the Trauma ICU and 13 in the adjacent semi-ICU facility.
Dr. Anurag Dhakad, Trauma Centre In-charge, explained the rapid escalation of the crisis. "A short circuit occurred in the trauma ICU, and the fire spread rapidly, releasing toxic gases," he told news agency ANI. The majority of patients in the Trauma ICU were comatose, making evacuation efforts particularly challenging and time-sensitive.
#WATCH | Jaipur, Rajasthan | SMS Hospital Trauma centre Incharge Anurag Dhakad says, "Our trauma centre has two ICUs on the second floor: a trauma ICU and a semi-ICU. We had 24 patients there; 11 in the trauma ICU and 13 in the semi-ICU. A short circuit occurred in the trauma… pic.twitter.com/cjMwutRCl3
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
The Victims
Of the six patients who perished, four were men and two were women. All were critically ill patients undergoing intensive care treatment. Five additional patients remain in critical condition, receiving urgent medical attention.
Dr. Dhakad confirmed that medical teams attempted aggressive resuscitation measures. "Six of those patients were very critical; we tried very hard to revive them with CPR, but they couldn't be saved," he said.
"They Just Ran Away": Explosive Allegations from Families
Abandonment Amid Chaos
Puran Singh, whose relative died in the fire, painted a harrowing picture of the moments when disaster struck. "When there was a spark, there was a cylinder beside it. The smoke spread throughout the ICU, causing everyone to flee in panic. Some managed to rescue their own patients, but mine was left alone in the room. As the gas spread further, they shut the gates," he recounted, his voice laden with grief and anger.
Complete Absence of Fire Safety Equipment
Narendra Singh discovered the emergency while away from his mother's bedside. "There was a fire in the ICU, and I didn't even know. I had come downstairs to have dinner at the time. There wasn't even any equipment to douse the fire—no facilities were available. My mother was admitted there," he said, highlighting the apparent lack of basic firefighting infrastructure in a critical care unit.
Early Warnings Dismissed as "Normal"
Om Prakash's testimony reveals a particularly troubling pattern of ignored warnings. His 25-year-old nephew, who was on the path to recovery and scheduled for discharge within days, became one of the victims.
"Smoke started spreading around 11:20 PM, and I warned the doctors that it could cause discomfort to patients. By the time the smoke intensified, the doctors and compounders had already fled. Only four to five patients were evacuated. Tragically, my maternal aunt's son lost his life due to the incident. He was about to recover and was scheduled to be discharged in two-three days," Om Prakash said.
Repeated Alerts Ignored
Jogendra Singh's account suggests a pattern of negligence that may have cost lives. "My mother was admitted to the ICU. When the spark occurred, I alerted the doctors four to five times that it was coming from there, but they dismissed it as normal. Suddenly, smoke engulfed the area, and all the staff ran out, leaving no one to help or save my mother," he alleged.
Singh described the desperate moments that followed: "I was outside when I asked the police, and they said everyone had been evacuated. However, my mother and brother were still trapped inside the hospital. Somehow, I managed to rescue my brother, but he is now in critical condition."
A Brother Found Dead
Ranjit Singh Rathore received the devastating call at 11:30 PM. "I had just arrived this evening. I rushed to the hospital, but initially, they wouldn't let me inside. After some time, I managed to enter. When I went in, I found my brother dead," he said, describing the chaos and confusion that prevented families from reaching their loved ones during the crucial moments.
Hospital's Version: Swift Evacuation Efforts
Dr. Dhakad presented a different narrative, emphasizing the rescue efforts undertaken by hospital staff. "Our trauma centre team, our nursing officers, and ward boys immediately rescued them on trolleys and brought as many patients as we could out of the ICU and shifted them to another location," he stated.
According to hospital officials, all 24 patients from both ICUs were evacuated to safer areas within the facility, where medical teams attempted to stabilize the critically ill.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Forensic Science Laboratory teams are examining the site to determine the exact cause of the short circuit and fire. Officials are also assessing the extent of damage to the facility and evaluating whether safety protocols were properly followed.
Rescue operations were completed shortly after firefighters brought the blaze under control, but questions about the hospital's preparedness and staff response continue to mount.
Critical Questions Demanding Answers
This tragedy has raised urgent concerns about hospital safety standards and emergency preparedness:
Fire Safety Infrastructure: Why was firefighting equipment reportedly unavailable in a critical care unit housing vulnerable patients?
Emergency Response Training: Were staff members adequately trained in evacuation protocols for immobile and comatose patients?
Early Warning Response: Why were visible sparks and spreading smoke apparently dismissed as "normal" by medical personnel?
Evacuation Protocol: Did hospital staff follow proper triage and evacuation procedures during the emergency?
Safety Audits and Compliance: When was the last comprehensive fire safety inspection conducted at SMS Hospital's trauma centre?
Electrical Safety: What preventive maintenance protocols were in place for electrical systems in the ICU?
Pattern of Hospital Fire Incidents in India
This tragedy adds to a disturbing pattern of hospital fires across India in recent years, many resulting from electrical failures and inadequate safety measures. The incident underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of fire safety regulations in healthcare facilities, particularly in units housing critically ill patients who cannot evacuate themselves.
The Human Toll
Beyond the official casualty count lie shattered families and lives extinguished in what many believe was a preventable disaster. A young man on the verge of recovery and hospital discharge, mothers receiving intensive care, brothers fighting for their lives—all became victims in a matter of minutes.
The relatives' testimonies paint a picture of chaos, confusion, and alleged abandonment during the most critical moments, when seconds could have meant the difference between life and death.
Path Forward: Accountability and Reform
As the investigation proceeds, families of the victims are demanding more than explanations—they want accountability and systemic reforms to prevent future tragedies.
The incident serves as a stark reminder that modern medical equipment and skilled doctors mean little without adequate safety infrastructure, rigorous training, and unwavering commitment to patient welfare during emergencies.
SMS Hospital, one of Rajasthan's premier medical institutions, now faces tough questions about whether it met the basic safety standards required to protect the most vulnerable patients under its care.
Ongoing Developments
Authorities continue their investigation into the exact sequence of events and the cause of the electrical short circuit. The condition of the five critically injured patients remains a concern, with medical teams providing round-the-clock intensive care.
The tragedy has prompted calls for immediate safety audits at hospitals across Rajasthan and renewed focus on implementing and enforcing stringent fire safety protocols in medical facilities throughout India.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from ongoing investigations.
