Headline: Six Patients Killed in Jaipur Hospital ICU Fire

Published: 06 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Six critically ill patients have died in a devastating fire that broke out in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in the western Indian city of Jaipur. The fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, erupted late on Sunday night in a storage area of the ICU, rapidly spreading throughout the unit. At the time, eleven patients were admitted to the ICU.

The victims include two women and four men. Relatives of the deceased have accused hospital staff of negligence, a claim denied by hospital authorities. The government of Rajasthan, of which Jaipur is the capital, has ordered a formal investigation into the incident. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma stated, “Every possible step is being taken to ensure patient safety, treatment, and care for those affected, and the situation is being continuously monitored.”

Sawai Man Singh Hospital, run by the state government, is one of the largest in Rajasthan and treats thousands of patients daily. The fire reportedly started in the hospital’s trauma center just before midnight and quickly spread throughout the building. Fourteen patients from a nearby ICU ward were evacuated as thick smoke filled the rooms.

Firefighters reportedly broke windows and battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control, according to the news agency PTI. However, many families have alleged negligence on the part of hospital staff.

“We noticed smoke and immediately informed the staff, but they did not pay any attention. When the fire broke out, they were the first to run,” one family member told PTI. Another relative, who lost his mother in the incident, claimed the hospital lacked emergency equipment, adding, “There were no fire extinguishers, cylinders, or even water to douse the fire,” according to ANI news agency.

Deputy Superintendent Jagdish Modi dismissed these allegations, telling the BBC, “I can understand people’s sentiments in such a situation, but the allegations are untrue. Several hospital staff risked their lives to protect patients and evacuate ICUs and wards.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his condolences, writing on social media, “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”

Hospital fires resulting in fatalities are not new in India. In November 2024, a fire at a state-run hospital in Jhansi, northern India, killed at least ten newborns. Last year, The Indian Express analyzed 11 major hospital fires since 2019, which collectively claimed 107 lives, highlighting recurring patterns of safety lapses, weak oversight, and slow justice. Their investigation revealed that short circuits caused at least eight of the fires, and nine of the hospitals lacked basic firefighting systems.

This incident has once again highlighted long-standing safety concerns in Indian hospitals and intensified calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety protocols and improved emergency preparedness.