A devastating fire at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital trauma center on October 5, 2025, claimed the lives of six critically ill patients, exposing severe gaps in hospital fire safety protocols across Rajasthan. The blaze erupted around 11:20 PM in the Neuro ICU storeroom, where medical equipment, paper materials, and blood sampling tubes were stored. Thick smoke rapidly engulfed the intensive care unit, trapping eleven patients who were on critical life support at the time.
Preliminary investigations by forensic experts revealed that a short circuit triggered the catastrophic fire. The flames spread quickly through the second-floor trauma center, creating panic and chaos among patients, families, and medical staff. Rescue operations were launched immediately, but the intensity of the smoke and flames made evacuation extremely challenging.
Government Announces Compensation Package
Following the tragedy, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital in the early morning hours and announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for each victim’s family. The announcement came after intense seven-hour negotiations with grieving relatives who had initially demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation and government employment for bereaved families.
“The state government stands firmly with the grieving families in this heart-wrenching moment,” Chief Minister Sharma stated in his late-night address. The compensation package aims to provide immediate financial relief to families who lost their loved ones while seeking medical treatment at the state’s premier healthcare facility.
Swift Administrative Action Taken
The Rajasthan government demonstrated decisive action by removing senior hospital officials from their positions. Dr. Sushil Bhati, SMS Hospital Superintendent, and Dr. Anurag Dhakad, Trauma Centre Superintendent, were immediately dismissed from their posts. Executive Engineer Mukesh Singhal faced suspension with immediate effect for apparent negligence in maintaining safety standards.
Authorities filed a First Information Report against SK Electric Company, the contractor responsible for fire safety management at the hospital. The government promptly cancelled the company’s tender, sending a strong message about accountability in public healthcare infrastructure.
Investigation Committee Established
A six-member high-level committee was constituted to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The panel, chaired by Iqbal Khan, Commissioner of the Medical Education Department, includes technical experts from various departments. Committee members comprise Mukesh Kumar Meena from Rajasthan Medical Education Society, Chief Engineers from RajMES and PWD, an Additional Principal from SMS Medical College, and the Chief Fire Officer of Jaipur Municipal Corporation.
The Forensic Science Laboratory team collected crucial evidence from the fire site, examining electrical panels, wiring systems, and structural safety features. The committee has been tasked with examining the fire’s root cause, evaluating emergency response protocols, assessing staff preparedness, and recommending comprehensive corrective measures.
Safety Warnings Ignored
Disturbing revelations emerged when removed Trauma Centre Superintendent Dr. Anurag Dhakad disclosed that he had repeatedly warned hospital administration about dangerous conditions. His letters, including one dated just two days before the fire, highlighted electric current leakage in walls, roof seepage, and critical electrical panel faults. Despite multiple warnings about ongoing construction work damaging the VRV system and creating hazardous conditions, no concrete remedial action was implemented.
Calls for Statewide Safety Audits
This tragedy has reignited urgent demands from healthcare experts and activists for mandatory fire safety audits across all government hospitals in Rajasthan. Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar visited the trauma center and assured that comprehensive fire safety reviews would be conducted statewide. The incident has prompted discussions about implementing stricter safety protocols, regular electrical system maintenance, mandatory emergency drills, and advanced firefighting equipment installation in public healthcare facilities.
Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Bairwa and Home Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham conducted on-ground assessments and promised continued government support for affected families while emphasizing the need for infrastructure upgrades at aging medical facilities.
Moving Forward with Prevention
The SMS Hospital fire serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for robust safety frameworks in India’s healthcare infrastructure. Experts recommend independent third-party safety audits, installation of intelligent fire detection systems, regular staff training programs, and strict enforcement of building safety codes. The tragedy underscores that preventive measures must take precedence over reactive responses to protect vulnerable patients who depend on government hospitals for critical medical care.
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