Jaipur hospital fire: Doctors, compounders fled as smoke spread, say kin; CM reviews situation at SMS trauma centre

NEW DELHI: A fire broke out late Sunday night in the Trauma ICU of SMS Hospital, caused by a short circuit. Relatives of patients described panic and confusion as smoke filled the ward.Multiple patients were trapped inside as smoke engulfed the ward, while hospital staff reportedly fled the scene, leaving relatives to rescue their loved ones.Puran Singh, a patient's relative, described the initial moments: "When there was a spark, there was a cylinder beside it. The 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, whose mother was admitted, said, "There was a fire in the ICU, and I didn't even know. I had come downstairs to have dinner at the time. There wasn't even any equipment to douse the fire--no facilities were available. My mother was admitted there."The incident turned fatal for some patients. Om Prakash, whose 25-year-old nephew was admitted, shared: "Smoke started spreading around 11.20pm, and I warned the doctors that it could cause discomfort to patients.

By the time the smoke intensified, the doctors and compounders had already fled. Only 4 to 5 patients were evacuated. Tragically, my maternal aunt's son lost his life due to the incident. He was about to recover and was scheduled to be discharged in two-three days.

"Jogendra Singh, whose mother was in the ICU, recounted: "My mother was admitted to the ICU. When the spark occurred, I alerted the doctors four to five times that it was coming from there, but they dismissed it as normal.

Suddenly, smoke engulfed the area, and all the staff ran out, leaving no one to help or save my mother. I was outside when I asked the police, and they said everyone had been evacuated. However, my mother and brother were still trapped inside the hospital.

Somehow, I managed to rescue my brother, but he is now in critical condition."Ranjit Singh Rathore received news of the fire at 11.30pm and rushed to the hospital: "I had just arrived this evening. I rushed to the hospital, but initially, they wouldn't let me inside. After some time, I managed to enter. When I went in, I found my brother dead."Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital following the incident to assess the situation.