Tragedy in Jaipur: Fire at SMS Hospital ICU Claims Six Lives

A devastating fire erupted in the ICU of SMS Hospital in Jaipur, late Sunday night, leading to the tragic loss of six lives. The incident has prompted a state-level investigation, with authorities suspecting a short circuit as the cause.

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Praveen Khandelwal expressed his condolences and urged for accountability, as the state government quickly moved to address the severity of the incident. 'This is very sad. My condolences to the families of the deceased. The state government should take immediate cognisance, and the matter should be investigated. Whoever is guilty should be punished severely,' Khandelwal told ANI.

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph confirmed the fatalities while indicating investigations are underway to pinpoint the exact cause. '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 bodies of the deceased have been shifted to the mortuary and will be sent for a post-mortem,' Commissioner Joseph explained.

In response to the tragedy, former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot demanded a high-level investigation. Consequently, the Rajasthan government established a 6-member committee to probe the fire, chaired by Iqbal Khan, Commissioner of the Medical Department. The committee aims to ensure a thorough examination and prevent future occurrences.

(With inputs from agencies.)