Rajasthan hospital fire: Six dead, five critical – What caused the tragedy?

Jaipur: Six patients died and five remain critical after a fire broke out at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital trauma ICU on Monday. Relatives allege staff ignored early warnings, raising questions about hospital safety and emergency response.

What caused the fire at SMS Hospital trauma ICU?

Officials believe a suspected short circuit in the storage area triggered the blaze, which quickly spread and released toxic gases, affecting 24 patients in the trauma and semi-ICU sections. Investigations are ongoing to confirm the exact cause.

The deceased were identified as Pintu (Sikar), Dilip (Andhi, Jaipur), Shrinath, Rukmini, Khurma (Bharatpur), and Bahadur (Sanganer, Jaipur). Staff and patient attendants moved patients on trolleys and beds to safer locations, saving most, though six critically ill patients could not be revived.

How did hospital staff respond during the fire?

Ward boy Vikas told PTI he and other staff rescued as many patients as possible before the flames intensified. Firefighters had to break a window to access the ward due to heavy smoke, while police arrived later and could not enter immediately.

Several patient relatives claimed that hospital staff ignored initial warnings and delayed response. They recounted chaotic scenes as smoke engulfed the ICU, with some staff allegedly fleeing while patients remained inside. Families criticised lack of fire-fighting equipment and proper emergency management.

What is the official response from authorities?

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, and MoS Home Jawahar Singh Bedham visited the hospital to assess the situation. Officials are investigating the incident, assessing damage, and reviewing patient safety protocols.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Monday demanded a high-level investigation into the deaths after a fire broke out at the ICU of a trauma centre at SMS Hospital in Jaipur on late Sunday night.

In a message on X on Monday, Gehlot said that the fire in the ICU of the trauma centre at SMS Hospital, resulting in the death of seven people, is "extremely heartbreaking"

"The state government should conduct a high-level investigation into this incident to ensure that such accidents do not recur anywhere in the future," he added.

Five patients remain in critical condition and are under close medical supervision. Authorities continue to investigate the short circuit and examine hospital safety compliance, including emergency evacuation measures and infrastructure readiness.