Jaipur, Oct. 6, 2025 — A devastating fire at the trauma centre of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital late Sunday night has claimed nine lives and left several patients critically injured. The blaze, which began around 11:20 pm in the hospital’s neuro-ICU ward, spread rapidly through the unit, filling it with thick smoke and cutting off escape routes.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire originated in a storeroom containing papers, medical equipment, and blood sample tubes. Officials suspect an electrical short circuit as the likely cause, though an official investigation is underway.
Firefighters arrived within minutes but faced challenges due to dense smoke and restricted visibility. They broke through windows from the opposite side of the building to douse the flames. It took about one and a half hours to bring the situation under control.
At the time of the fire, there were 11 patients admitted to the trauma ICU and 13 others in an adjoining ward, making a total of 24 people in the affected area.
Nine patients, including three women, died in the incident. Five others remain in critical condition. Most of the patients in the trauma ICU were unconscious or on ventilators, which made evacuation difficult.
Doctors attempted resuscitation on severely affected individuals, but six could not be revived. The remaining patients were stabilized and transferred to other hospital wards.
Relatives of the victims have alleged negligence and inadequate safety measures at the hospital. Some family members claimed that the fire began near an oxygen cylinder and that staff members were slow to respond when smoke started filling the ICU. Others alleged that medical staff initially fled the area, leaving patients unattended in the critical early minutes.
Authorities have acknowledged the concerns and stated that a comprehensive inquiry will determine the sequence of events and identify any lapses in safety protocols.
One of the patient’s relatives described the chaos that unfolded during the fire. “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,” said Puran Singh, a patient’s kin, according to ANI.
State authorities have expressed deep grief over the tragedy and ordered a high-level investigation. Police officials confirmed that a forensic team will analyze the site to confirm the cause of the fire.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said findings from the forensic laboratory will help determine whether electrical faults or other factors were responsible.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma addressed the incident on Sunday, assuring that authorities were fully engaged in relief and response efforts. “Every possible step is being taken to ensure patient safety, treatment, and care for those affected, and the situation is being continuously monitored,” the Chief Minister said.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot called the incident “heartbreaking” and urged the government to strengthen fire-safety systems in hospitals statewide.
(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)