Jaipur, Rajasthan: A devastating fire at the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur claimed the lives of six patients and left five others in critical condition. The blaze, triggered by a short circuit, erupted in the trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) late Sunday night.

The fire broke out in the trauma ICU on the second floor of the hospital, where 11 patients were receiving treatment. An adjacent semi-ICU housed an additional 13 patients. According to Dr. Anurag Dhakad, the Trauma Centre In-charge, the short circuit ignited a fire that rapidly spread, releasing toxic gases.

Hospital staff, including nursing officers and ward boys, immediately initiated rescue operations, evacuating a total of 24 patients on trolleys. The patients were quickly moved to another location within the hospital. Despite the swift response and attempts to revive the critically ill patients, six of them succumbed to the effects of the toxic fumes. Dr. Dhakad noted that most of the patients in the ICU were in comatose condition, which further complicated rescue efforts.

Authorities have confirmed that two of the deceased were women and four were men. The bodies have been moved to the mortuary for post-mortem examinations. Five patients remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment in another ward.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph stated that while preliminary reports suggest a short circuit as the cause, the final determination will be made following an investigation by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team. Authorities are currently investigating the incident and assessing the extent of the damage to the facility.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the SMS Hospital to review the situation and spoke with doctors and patients. The state government is likely to announce compensation for the families of the deceased and assistance for those injured.

This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of fire safety measures in healthcare facilities and the need for regular inspections and maintenance of electrical systems.