On October 5, a fire tore through the trauma ICU of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming six lives and leaving five patients in critical condition. The incident, which reportedly began around 11:20 pm on the hospital’s second floor, has raised serious questions about hospital safety protocols, staff preparedness, and emergency response measures.
According to SMS Hospital Trauma Centre In-charge Anurag Dhakad, the fire originated in the trauma ICU and spread with alarming speed, releasing toxic gases that endangered all patients in its path. “Our trauma centre has two ICUs on the second floor: a trauma ICU and a semi-ICU. We had 24 patients there 11 in the trauma ICU and 13 in the semi-ICU. A short circuit occurred in the trauma ICU, and the fire spread rapidly, releasing toxic gases,” Dhakad said. He added that most patients were comatose and unable to move, and despite the immediate intervention of hospital staff, six critically ill patients could not be revived. The deceased included four men and two women, while five others remain in critical condition.
#WATCH | SMS Hospital fire, Jaipur | "… 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…," says a person who lost a family member in the fire at Jaipur's… pic.twitter.com/BCV2Sa9jMT
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2025
Relatives of the patients have recounted harrowing experiences that expose apparent lapses in safety measures and hospital negligence. Puran Singh, whose relative was admitted to the ICU, said, “When there was a spark, there was a cylinder beside it. 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.”
Narendra Singh, another relative, alleged, “There wasn’t even any equipment to douse the fire. My mother was admitted there, and the staff had no facilities to handle such a situation.” Om Prakash described watching helplessly as smoke engulfed the ICU: “By the time it intensified, doctors and compounders had already fled. Only four to five patients were evacuated. Tragically, my maternal aunt’s son, who was about to recover and be discharged in two to three days, lost his life.”
Jogendra Singh alleged repeated warnings to hospital staff were ignored. “I alerted the doctors four to five times about the spark, but they dismissed it. Suddenly, smoke engulfed the area, and all staff ran out, leaving no one to save my mother. I managed to rescue my brother, who is now in critical condition, but my mother remained trapped.”
The incident sparked immediate outrage, with relatives and local residents staging protests outside SMS Hospital, accusing the administration and the Rajasthan government of negligence. Protestors claimed that if proper safety measures and prompt emergency action had been in place, the loss of lives could have been prevented.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident.
A six-member committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances leading to the blaze. The committee will be chaired by Iqbal Khan, Commissioner, Medical Education Department, and will include senior officials from hospital administration, engineering, and fire safety departments.
#WATCH | Jaipur | Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma arrived at the Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS) to review the situation after a massive fire broke out pic.twitter.com/vhqY5S7p7m
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
The committee has been tasked with investigating multiple aspects of the incident, including the causes of the fire, the hospital management’s response, the adequacy of firefighting arrangements at the Trauma Centre and SMS Hospital, the safety and evacuation procedures for patients in the event of a fire, and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The panel is expected to submit a comprehensive report detailing its findings and recommendations to prevent recurrence.
SMS Hospital fire, Jaipur | Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma ordered an investigation into the incident. A committee has been announced for the investigation. The committee will be chaired by Iqbal Khan, Commissioner, Medical Education Department.
This committee will… pic.twitter.com/n0Ln6Unvfb
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the incident, tweeting, “The loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
The loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 6, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah , expressed grief over the death of six people due to a fire at the ICU at the trauma centre of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital. He also offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.
In a post on social media X, he wrote, “The incident of a fire breaking out at Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur is tragic. The local administration is taking every possible step for the safety of patients, their treatment, and the care of those affected. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their lives in this accident. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
जयपुर के सवाई मानसिंह अस्पताल में आग लगने की घटना दुःखद है। स्थानीय प्रशासन मरीजों की सुरक्षा, इलाज और प्रभावित लोगों की देखभाल के लिए हर संभव कदम उठा रहा है। जिन लोगों ने इस हादसे में अपनी जान गँवाईं हैं, मेरी संवेदनाएँ उनके परिजनों के साथ हैं। घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 6, 2025
CM Bhajanlal Sharma visited SMS Hospital and assured that all injured patients would receive proper treatment and care. “Every possible step is being taken for the safety, treatment, and care of the affected patients. The state government stands with the families to provide every possible assistance,” he wrote on X. Deputy CM Prem Chand Bairwa, accompanying the CM, also reviewed the relief operations and met with patients and their families.
जयपुर के सवाई मानसिंह अस्पताल के ट्रॉमा सेंटर में आग लगने की घटना अत्यंत दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण है।
अस्पताल पहुंचकर चिकित्सकों एवं अधिकारियों से जानकारी ली और त्वरित राहत कार्य सुनिश्चित करने के निर्देश दिए। मरीजों की सुरक्षा, इलाज और प्रभावित लोगों की देखभाल के लिए हर संभव कदम उठाए जा…
— Bhajanlal Sharma (@BhajanlalBjp) October 6, 2025
Police confirmed that a short circuit is the likely cause of the fire, but the FSL investigation will determine the exact reason. Rescue operations were completed shortly after the fire was brought under control.
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