Jaipur Hospital Fire:- 7 Dead After Blaze in Rajasthan SMS Hospital Fire, Cause Under Investigation. CM Bhajanlal Sharma visits hospital and orders a high level inquiry.
Tragic Fire at Rajasthan SMS Hospital Claims Seven Lives
In a tragic incident that shook Rajasthan’s capital, a massive fire broke out at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur during the early hours of October 6, 2025, claiming at least seven lives. The blaze erupted around 1:30 a.m. in the store room of the Trauma Centre’s Neuro ICU ward, located on the second floor of the hospital building.
According to initial reports, the fire was triggered by a short circuit, which quickly spread through materials stored inside the ICU. Despite immediate efforts by medical staff and rescue teams, the situation escalated rapidly due to dense smoke and toxic gases, leading to multiple fatalities.
Casualties and Damage Reported At Rajasthan Sms Hospital Fire
Authorities confirmed that seven patients lost their lives in the devastating fire. The deceased have been identified as Pintu, Dilip, Srinath, Rukhmani, Khushma, and Bahadur. Another five patients remain in critical condition and are currently receiving treatment in different wards of the hospital.
Preliminary assessments indicate that paper files, medical equipment, and blood sample tubes stored in the ICU were destroyed. The flames also caused partial damage to the Trauma Centre’s electrical systems and medical monitors.
An official from the hospital administration said that swift response from staff members prevented the death toll from rising further. “If the rescue hadn’t been immediate, the tragedy could have been far worse,” he stated.
Hospital Authorities Describe Moments of Panic
Dr. Anurag Dhakad, In-Charge of the Trauma Centre, shared the harrowing details of the rescue operation. He said the fire spread rapidly within minutes, producing heavy smoke that made visibility inside the ICU nearly impossible.
“Our Trauma Centre has two ICUs — a trauma ICU and a semi-ICU. We had 24 patients in total, 11 in the trauma ICU and 13 in the semi-ICU. A short circuit occurred in the trauma ICU, and flames spread quickly, releasing toxic gases. Most of our patients were unconscious or comatose, making evacuation challenging,” Dr. Dhakad explained.
He further added,
“Our medical team, including nurses and ward boys, acted courageously. They used stretchers and trolleys to move as many patients as possible to safety. Unfortunately, six patients were too critical and could not be revived despite prolonged CPR attempts. Five others are still in a serious condition.”
Police and Forensic Investigation Underway
Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph confirmed that the initial cause of the fire appeared to be a short circuit, but a forensic investigation (FSL) is currently being conducted to confirm the exact reason.
“At first glance, the fire seems to have originated from a short circuit, but the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is analyzing the scene. The official cause will only be confirmed after the investigation report is submitted,” he said.
Police officials also confirmed that the bodies of the deceased have been sent to the mortuary, and post-mortem examinations will be conducted once forensic teams complete their inspection.
The Commissioner assured that safety audits and electrical checks will be performed in other parts of the hospital to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma Orders High-Level Probe on Rajasthan Sms Hospital Fire
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma rushed to Rajasthan SMS Hospital Fire Location early Monday morning to assess the situation personally. Accompanied by senior officials and medical staff, the CM met the injured patients, their families, and the hospital management team.
During his visit, CM Sharma expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and directed the administration to ensure that the best possible medical care is provided to the injured.
“This is a deeply unfortunate incident. I have ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the exact cause of the fire and identify any lapses in safety protocols,” said the Chief Minister.
He further assured that families of the victims will be provided financial assistance, and strict action will be taken if any negligence is found.
Government Forms Inquiry Committee
Following the CM’s directive, the Rajasthan government has formed a special investigation committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident.
The committee will:
Investigate the cause of the fire and sequence of events.
Examine hospital fire safety and evacuation protocols.
Assess whether emergency systems and alarms were functional.
Recommend preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies.
Identify lapses, if any, on part of the hospital management or maintenance staff.
The team is expected to submit its detailed report within a week.
Hospital Safety Under Scrutiny
The tragic incident has sparked a broader discussion about fire safety in government hospitals across Rajasthan. Health experts and civic activists have pointed out that routine electrical maintenance and safety drills are often neglected in large public healthcare institutions.
An official from the Rajasthan Health Department admitted that fire audits are supposed to be conducted every six months, but in some cases, compliance is delayed due to administrative challenges.
Following the Rajasthan Sms Hospital Fire incident, the department has instructed all hospitals to re-examine electrical circuits, oxygen pipelines, and storage areas, particularly in high-risk units such as ICUs and operation theatres.
Eyewitness Accounts and Heroic Efforts
Several eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as smoke filled the ICU corridors. Nursing officers, ward boys, and attendants risked their own lives to rescue patients trapped inside.
One of the staff members shared,
“The smoke was so thick we couldn’t see beyond a few feet. We wrapped wet cloths around our faces and kept pulling patients out on stretchers. Everyone was shouting and running to save as many as possible.”
Their quick thinking and teamwork reportedly saved dozens of lives, drawing praise from both medical officials and the Chief Minister.
Past Incidents Raise Questions About Safety Compliance
This tragedy is not an isolated event. Over the past few years, several hospitals across India have witnessed fire-related accidents due to short circuits, overloaded electrical lines, or oxygen leaks.
In 2021, a fire at a COVID-19 ward in Bharuch, Gujarat, killed 18 patients, while a blaze in Mumbai’s Bhandup hospital claimed 11 lives. The Jaipur incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for fire safety audits and real-time response mechanisms in healthcare facilities.
Public Reaction and Condolences
Citizens across Rajasthan and beyond expressed sorrow over the loss of lives. Social media platforms were flooded with condolences, as many demanded accountability and better safety systems.
Political leaders from various parties also reacted to the tragedy, urging the state to strengthen infrastructure and emergency management in hospitals.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership, including senior ministers, echoed CM Sharma’s call for a “zero-tolerance policy” towards negligence in public health institutions.
Next Steps and Future Prevention
Experts suggest that hospitals must adopt a three-tier fire safety plan, including:
- Regular electrical inspections and certified wiring upgrades.
- Fire response training for staff and emergency evacuation drills.
- Installation of automatic smoke detection and sprinkler systems.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) also recommends mandatory fire audits every six months and real-time emergency alarm integration with local fire stations.
Conclusion
The Rajasthan SMS Hospital fire stands as a grim reminder of how even a minor technical fault can lead to devastating consequences in medical environments. While the heroic efforts of hospital staff prevented further tragedy, the loss of seven lives underscores the urgent need for stronger safety protocols, infrastructure checks, and accountability.
As investigations continue, Rajasthan’s government has vowed to ensure justice for the Rajasthan Sms Hospital Fire victims and reinforce fire safety standards across all hospitals in the state.
