**Tragic Fire at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital Trauma Centre Claims Eight Lives**
Jaipur: At least eight patients lost their lives in a devastating fire that broke out at the trauma centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Sunday night, October 5. At the time of the incident, there were reportedly 11 patients in the Neuro ICU.
The blaze is believed to have started in the storage area of the trauma centre. While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit might have triggered the fire.
Among the eight deceased, six have been identified as Pintu (from Sikar), Dilip (from Andhi, Jaipur), Shrinath, Rukmini, Khurma (all from Bharatpur), and Bahadur (from Sanganer, Jaipur).
**Chaos and Evacuation Amid Rapidly Spreading Smoke**
Panic gripped patients and their families as smoke quickly engulfed the floor. Numerous documents, ICU equipment, blood sample tubes, and other items stored in the affected area were destroyed by the blaze.
Hospital staff and patient attendants sprang into action, evacuating patients from the ward. In some cases, patients were even transported out with their beds to ensure their safety, according to reports by PTI.
Firefighters arrived promptly after receiving the alert and managed to bring the fire under control in approximately two hours. Upon arrival, the ward was reportedly filled with thick smoke, forcing firefighters to break a window on the opposite side of the building to tackle the fire effectively.
**Government Response and Official Statements**
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham visited the trauma centre to assess the situation firsthand.
Commenting on the incident, Chief Minister Sharma said in a post on X, “The incident of a fire at the trauma center of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur is extremely unfortunate. Upon reaching the hospital, I gathered information from the doctors and officials and issued instructions to ensure swift relief efforts. Every possible step is being taken for the safety of patients, their treatment, and the care of those affected, and the situation is being continuously monitored. May Lord Shri Ram grant place at His divine feet to the departed souls. The state government stands with the affected families and is committed to providing them every possible assistance.”
**Allegations from Victims’ Families**
When Sharma and Patel arrived at the hospital, some victims’ family members alleged that the staff at the Neuro ICU fled soon after the fire broke out, reported PTI. They also claimed that hospital personnel failed to provide timely updates regarding the condition of their patients.
One attendee shared, “We noticed smoke and immediately informed the staff, but they did not pay any heed. When the fire broke out, they were the first to run. Now, we cannot get any information about our patients. We want to know their condition, but no one is telling us.”
Another grieving family member, who lost a relative in the fire, told ANI that there was no proper equipment available at the site to control the fire. “The ICU caught fire. There was no equipment to extinguish it. There were no cylinders or even water to douse the fire. There were no facilities. My mother passed away,” he said.
**Ongoing Investigation**
Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, emergency response protocols and hospital safety measures are expected to come under scrutiny to ensure enhanced patient protection going forward.
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*We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragic incident.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/jaipur-fire-at-least-8-dead-after-massive-blaze-erupts-in-icu-of-sawai-man-singh-hospital