A tragic incident unfolded at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late on Sunday night. A massive fire broke out on the second floor of the hospital’s trauma center, specifically in the ICU ward. The fire, caused by a short circuit, resulted in the deaths of 8 patients, with several others suffering from severe burns and injuries. The situation escalated quickly, causing panic among patients and their families. As soon as the fire broke out, hospital staff and patients rushed to evacuate, with the hospital staff and police working tirelessly to control the situation.
The fire started in the Trauma ICU, where most of the patients were either in a coma or in critical condition. Authorities are investigating the incident and have initially attributed the fire to a short circuit. The blaze produced toxic fumes from the electrical equipment, which made it difficult for the patients to breathe. Efforts to evacuate the patients to the lower floors and to other ICU wards were made, but 8 patients could not be saved. The remaining patients are still in critical condition.
Panic and Heroic Rescue Efforts
The fire caused an immediate panic, with hospital staff and nearby families working quickly to move patients out of the ICU. Firefighters and police arrived at the scene promptly and launched a rescue operation that lasted well into the night. Despite the dangerous conditions, police constables Vedveer, Hari Mohan, and Lalit demonstrated extraordinary bravery. These officers risked their lives to rescue more than ten patients and their families from the ICU, despite struggling with the smoke and fumes. These brave constables are now receiving medical treatment at the SMS hospital emergency unit for breathing issues.
All patients from the second-floor ICU were safely relocated to other wards. Meanwhile, the hospital administration has begun reviewing the fire safety systems and overall security within the hospital premises to prevent such incidents in the future.
Fire and Rescue Operations
The fire started in one of the two ICU wards on the second floor of the trauma center. These ICUs were occupied by patients in critical or comatose states. The hospital’s initial response involved shifting patients to nearby areas to ensure their safety. The fire department and police coordinated throughout the night to contain the blaze. Thankfully, by the morning, the fire was completely brought under control. However, the aftermath left a devastating toll on both patients and the healthcare staff.
The fire caused massive damage to medical equipment, and the toxic smoke made it extremely challenging for patients to breathe. Despite the quick evacuation, the hospital staff’s efforts to save the patients were hampered by the intensity of the fire. The emergency response teams worked under extremely dangerous conditions to carry out the rescue operation.
Names of the Deceased and Their Families
Among the victims of this horrific incident were patients from various parts of Rajasthan. One of the deceased was Digambar from Sawai Madhopur, who had been admitted to the trauma center around 9 pm for treatment. The fire caused his condition to deteriorate rapidly, and he passed away during the treatment. His family is in deep shock and grief. Other deceased individuals include patients from districts such as Sikar, Bharatpur, and Sanganeer. Some of the names of the deceased include Pintu from Sikar, Dilip Aandhi, Rukmani from Bharatpur, and Khushma, among others.
The tragic loss has left the families of these patients devastated. Many relatives of the victims were present at the hospital when the fire broke out, witnessing the horrifying scenes unfold before them.
Government Response and Compensation
Upon hearing the news of the incident, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma immediately visited SMS Hospital to take stock of the situation. Accompanied by Health Minister Jawahar Singh Badhm, the Chief Minister met with the hospital administration, the affected families, and healthcare workers. After the visit, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for each family of the deceased victims. Additionally, free treatment for the injured patients will be provided.
The Chief Minister expressed his grief over the incident and stated that such incidents are unacceptable. He assured the public that strict action would be taken against those found responsible for the tragedy. “The families of the deceased and the injured will receive compensation, and an inquiry will be conducted to ensure justice,” he added.
Health Minister Kirori Lal Meena also visited the hospital to meet with the injured patients and their families. He expressed his concern and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
Investigation into the Cause of the Fire
Police and forensic teams have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Early findings suggest that the fire was triggered by a short circuit in the electrical wiring of the ICU. However, authorities are examining the hospital’s fire safety protocols and the condition of the electrical equipment involved in the incident. The fire has caused considerable damage to the hospital’s infrastructure, and the incident is being treated as a serious matter by the authorities.
The hospital administration has also begun an internal inquiry into the incident. They are reviewing the safety and security systems in place, including fire alarms, emergency evacuation procedures, and the overall readiness of the hospital to handle such emergencies.
Hospital’s Fire Safety and Prevention Review
The incident has raised serious concerns regarding fire safety standards in one of Jaipur’s largest and most reputed hospitals. The tragic loss of lives has highlighted the need for hospitals to be equipped with the best fire prevention and safety systems. Hospital officials have assured the public that they will take all necessary steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again in the future.
Fire safety experts have been called in to assess the situation and make recommendations for improving the hospital’s fire safety measures. In addition to upgrading the fire safety systems, authorities are also considering conducting fire drills and training hospital staff on emergency protocols.
The fire at the SMS Hospital’s trauma center in Jaipur has resulted in a tragic loss of life and left many others severely injured. The bravery shown by the police and hospital staff during the rescue operation was commendable, as they managed to save several lives despite the dangerous conditions. However, the tragedy has raised serious concerns about fire safety in hospitals, particularly in critical care areas such as ICUs.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are committed to finding out the cause of the fire and holding those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, the families of the deceased victims have been assured of compensation and free treatment for the injured. The government has vowed to take the necessary actions to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, and it is clear that major reforms are needed in fire safety protocols within the healthcare sector.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety measures in hospitals, especially in critical areas where patients’ lives are at stake.
