• Source:JND
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At least eight patients died in a massive fire that broke out in an intensive care unit (ICU) ward of the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital of Rajasthan's Jaipur on Monday. Dr Anurag Dhakad, in charge of the SMS Hospital Trauma Centre, stated that a short circuit in the trauma ICU triggered a fire, which spread rapidly and released toxic fumes.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered an investigation into the SMS Hospital fire. A committee, headed by Iqbal Khan, Commissioner of Medical Education, will probe the cause of the fire, hospital response, patient safety, and preventive measures, and submit a report.

Dr Dhakad said there were 11 patients in the trauma ICU when the fire broke out and spread. He added that most of the critical patients were in a comatose state. According to the officials, five patients remain critical, and among the deceased, two were women and four were men.

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“Our trauma centre has two ICUs on the second floor: a trauma ICU and a semi-ICU. We had 24 patients there; 11 in the trauma ICU and 13 in the semi-ICU. A short circuit occurred in the trauma ICU, and the fire spread rapidly, releasing toxic gases,” Dr Anurag Dhakad said, speaking to ANI news agency.

Meanwhile, late at night, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital following the fire outbreak in one of its intensive care units.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph said an FSL investigation will determine the exact cause of the fire, which initially appears to be a short circuit. He confirmed six deaths, adding that the remaining patients have been shifted for treatment and the deceased moved to the mortuary for post-mortem.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph says, "Our FSL team's investigation will reveal the cause of the fire. At first glance, it appears to be a short circuit, but the final cause will only be determined after the FSL investigation. The death of 6 people has been confirmed. The remaining have been shifted to another ward and are under treatment. The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to the mortuary. Once everything is done, the post-mortem of the bodies will be conducted."

Rajasthan Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham says, "The CM is here after the information was received that a fire has broken out in an ICU due to a short circuit. The incident is unfortunate. Some people have lost their lives. SMS administration will release the no. of casualties. Out of 24, most of them have been saved. Their complete treatment is our priority..."

Victims Family Reaction 

“It was my aunt's son. He was 25 years old and named Pintu. When smoke came out at 11.20 pm, we had informed the doctors that the patients might have problems. Then gradually the smoke increased. As the smoke increased, the doctors and those working downstairs in the compound all left. Then suddenly there was so much smoke that we couldn't remove the patients. Even then, we removed four or five patients. My aunt's son was there. He was fine. They were about to discharge him in a day or two." says a person who lost a family member in the fire at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS)

 “The ICU caught fire. There was no equipment to extinguish it. There were no cylinders or even water to douse the fire. There were no facilities. My mother passed away...," says a person who lost a family member in the fire at Jaipur's Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS)

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Jogendra Singh, another relative, expressed frustration over the staff's negligence. "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," he said.