A massive fire broke out at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night, resulting in the tragic deaths of six patients. The incident, which occurred in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the facility, has triggered widespread shock and raised serious concerns about fire safety protocols in government hospitals across Rajasthan.

According to initial reports, the fire originated in the medicine wing of the ICU, where several critical patients were undergoing treatment. Thick smoke quickly engulfed the ward, making evacuation efforts extremely difficult. Hospital staff, security personnel, and firefighters immediately rushed to rescue patients, but despite their efforts, six lives were lost due to suffocation and severe burns.

Chaos in the ICU

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as the fire alarms rang through the hospital. Some patients were seen being carried out by attendants and hospital staff amid thick plumes of smoke. Several others were shifted to different wards as firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour before finally bringing it under control.

Hospital authorities stated that around 25 patients were present in the ICU at the time of the incident. Those rescued have been transferred to nearby units and are being closely monitored by doctors.

Investigation Underway

Jaipur District Collector and senior police officials rushed to the scene immediately after the fire broke out. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and has directed an immediate high-level investigation into the cause of the fire.

Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the ICU’s air conditioning system, though officials have yet to confirm the exact reason. The hospital’s electrical systems and safety arrangements are now under detailed scrutiny.

Government Response and Relief Measures

Chief Minister Sharma has announced compensation for the families of the deceased and assured strict accountability for any lapses. He also emphasized the need for a state-wide audit of fire safety systems in all public hospitals, saying that “human lives cannot be lost due to negligence.”

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the site early Monday morning to assess the situation and meet the affected families. He confirmed that a special inquiry committee has been formed to submit a report within 48 hours.

Recurring Safety Concerns

This tragedy has reignited debate over hospital fire safety in India. Over the past few years, several similar incidents have been reported across major cities, exposing poor compliance with fire safety norms. Experts have repeatedly warned that outdated electrical systems, overcrowding, and inadequate emergency exits make hospitals particularly vulnerable.

Public health activists and opposition leaders have called for immediate reforms and stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, especially in high-risk facilities such as ICUs, neonatal wards, and operation theatres.

Grief and Condolences

Messages of condolence have poured in from across the country. Several politicians and civil society groups have expressed solidarity with the victims’ families, urging the government to take swift action to prevent such incidents in the future.

The atmosphere at SMS Hospital remains tense as authorities continue their investigation and attempt to restore normalcy to the affected areas.