Rescue operations continue after the tragic ICU blaze at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital.
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The Jaipur ICU Blaze: What Happened
Late on Sunday night, October 5, 2025, a devastating fire erupted in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, one of Rajasthan’s largest public medical facilities. The blaze is believed to have been triggered by a short circuit in a storage area filled with important medical supplies and equipment adjacent to the trauma ICU.
The fire quickly spread, releasing thick, toxic smoke that engulfed the ICU ward and adjacent areas, trapping several critically ill patients who were unable to evacuate themselves. Firefighters fought the flames for nearly two hours but struggled with inadequate fire safety systems and blocked access inside the building.
Casualties and Impact
Tragically, initial reports confirm that six patients lost their lives in the fire due to burn injuries and suffocation. Among the deceased were two women and four men, all of whom were in critical condition under intensive care. Additionally, several others remain in critical condition, battling the aftereffects of smoke inhalation and burns.
At the time of the blaze, 11 patients were admitted in the affected ICU ward, with extra patients housed in adjoining ICU sections. Evacuation was chaotic; many patients were moved outside the hospital premises on stretchers to receive urgent medical assistance. Firefighters, hospital staff, relatives, and even bystanders worked under intense pressure to rescue as many as possible.
Eyewitness Accounts and Allegations of Negligence
The tragedy has ignited public outrage, largely fueled by families and witnesses who allege neglect and inadequate emergency response by the hospital staff. Multiple accounts claim that the hospital’s fire alarm system malfunctioned and that no sprinkler systems were operational during the blaze. More shockingly, relatives allege that staff locked ICU gates and fled, leaving patients trapped.
Families protesting outside the hospital have accused management and medical personnel of failing to heed earlier warnings about electrical faults and inadequate fire safety preparation. Some relatives recounted having warned the administration about potential hazards shortly before the fire broke out.
Official Response and Investigation
The Rajasthan state government swiftly responded with promises of a thorough investigation. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital late at night, assuring that all necessary measures are underway to care for the survivors and identify the causes of this disaster.
A high-level inquiry committee has been formed, tasked with examining:
The origins and cause of the fire
Hospital management response during the emergency
Compliance with fire safety regulations and protocols
Firefighting preparedness and evacuation procedures
Senior officials, including the Medical Education Secretary, Police Commissioner, and Hospital Principal, have been directed to submit detailed reports. Hospital superintendents and key staff members have been suspended or removed, with legal proceedings underway against the fire safety contractor for lapses.
Broader Implications for Hospital Safety in India
This heartbreaking incident once again highlights systemic safety concerns that have plagued healthcare infrastructure in India. Similar hospital fires in recent years — including the 2024 Jhansi NICU blaze — exposed widespread non-compliance with fire safety norms, lack of functioning alarms, expired equipment, and untrained personnel.
According to audits, many hospitals nationwide operate without valid fire No Objection Certificates and have deficient evacuation and firefighting capabilities. Public safety activists and political leaders emphasize urgent reforms and strict enforcement of fire safety standards across all medical facilities to prevent future tragedies.
FAQs
Q1: How many patients died in the Jaipur ICU blaze?
A: Six patients died due to burns and suffocation.
Q2: What caused the fire?
A2: The fire is suspected to have started due to a short circuit in the storage area adjacent to the ICU.
Q3: Were hospital staff held responsible?
A3: Families allege negligence and fleeing by staff; investigations are ongoing, and some hospital officials have been suspended.
Q4: How long did the fire take to be controlled?
A4: Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly two hours before controlling it.
Q5: What actions has the government taken?
A5: The Rajasthan government formed an inquiry committee, directed official reports, and promised compensation and strict action against negligence.
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