At least six patients lost their lives after a fire broke out in the trauma centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital — the main government-run medical facility in Jaipur, India — on Monday morning. Authorities suspect the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit in the intensive care unit (ICU), before it quickly spread to an adjacent ward, releasing toxic fumes.
Hospital official Anurag Dhakad confirmed that five patients remain in critical condition, while 13 others were safely evacuated from the affected areas. “The fire spread rapidly and released toxic gases,” he told local media, adding that the hospital’s emergency teams acted swiftly to contain the situation.
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) will conduct an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan state government has formed a high-level committee to probe the hospital’s fire safety measures, management response, and overall preparedness.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to India’s recurring hospital fire incidents, often blamed on faulty wiring and poor safety protocols.
Last November, ten newborns died in a similar fire at a neonatal ICU in Uttar Pradesh, while six infants perished in a New Delhi baby care hospital blaze in May 2024.
Authorities in Rajasthan have promised a full investigation and stronger fire prevention standards in state-run medical facilities.
