Six dead in Jaipur's SMS hospital fire, probe ordered

A devastating fire at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital late on Sunday night claimed six lives, sparking outrage and grief among families who accused the staff of negligence and fleeing the ICU instead of helping trapped patients.

- ARVIND PALWAT/ SHALU SACHDEVA

The blaze broke out around 11:45 pm in the Trauma Centre's ICU, reportedly due to a short circuit. Thick smoke quickly engulfed the ward, leaving attendants and relatives scrambling to rescue patients. “We alerted the staff when smoke began rising, but no one responded for 20 minutes. The staff ran away,” said Om Prakash, whose relative died in the incident.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes as families tried to pull patients out on trolleys while others fainted outside in despair. Six patients died, though relatives allege the toll was initially higher.