Tragic Fire at Jaipur's SMS Hospital Claims Six Lives: Victims' Families Allege Negligence

A devastating fire erupted in the trauma center of Jaipur's government-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming six lives and leaving families in grief.

Narendra Singh was downstairs having dinner when the fire broke out in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where his mother was admitted. By the time he learned about the incident, it was too late.

"The ICU caught fire, and I didn't even know. I had come downstairs to have dinner. There wasn't any equipment to extinguish the fire—no facilities were available. My mother was admitted there," he told ANI.

The fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, engulfed the ICU where 11 patients were receiving treatment. Thirteen additional patients were in the adjacent semi-ICU. During the rescue operations, patients had to be evacuated quickly, with many waiting on the roadside.

Family members of the deceased have alleged hospital negligence and insufficient resources to combat the fire effectively.

Joginder Singh, whose mother was in SMS Hospital, recounted: "We were reassured that the short circuit would settle down. The plastic began to melt and drop. Only then did doctors start moving out beds. When smoke increased, the hospital staff fled. Neither of us were allowed inside the ICU to save our patients. My elder brother somehow entered to try saving our mother."

Puran Singh, another relative, described the chaos: "When there was a spark, there was a cylinder beside it. Smoke spread throughout the ICU, causing everyone to flee in panic. Some managed to rescue their own patients, but mine was left alone. As the gas spread further, they shut the gates."

Om Prakash lost his 25-year-old cousin Pintu, who was nearly recovered and scheduled for discharge within days. Prakash stated he warned doctors when smoke began spreading around 11:20 PM.

"By the time the smoke intensified, the doctors and compounders had already fled. Only four to five patients were evacuated. Tragically, my cousin lost his life," he explained.

Another relative of Pintu claimed he informed the ward boy and doctor about the short circuit but was told it was normal. "After 1.5 to 2 hours, I pulled Pintu out of the fire," he told NDTV.

Jogendra Singh, who lost his mother, expressed frustration: "I alerted the doctors four to five times, but it was dismissed as normal. Suddenly, smoke engulfed the area, and all staff ran out. I managed to rescue my brother, but he's now in critical condition."

Ranjit Singh Rathore rushed to the hospital after receiving a call at 11:30 PM. "Initially, they wouldn't let me in. When I finally entered, I found my brother dead," he said.

A family from Agra, whose relative Sarvesh had undergone surgery for a head injury, also experienced tragedy. "Nobody heard us. My aunt suffocated to death," said Ramakant.

Dr. Anurag Dhakad, Trauma Centre In-Charge at SMS Hospital, refuted these claims. He told NDTV that toxic gases spread rapidly, making rescue difficult. "We used a fire extinguisher and called the fire brigade. Six patients died from burns and suffocation. The trauma centre team and staff worked to rescue patients."

Bodies will be returned to families after post-mortem examinations.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital and called the incident "extremely unfortunate." He assured that "every possible step is being taken for patient safety, treatment, and care of those affected," and that the situation was being continuously monitored.