Tragic Fire Claims Lives in Jaipur Hospital
A devastating fire at a private hospital in Jaipur early Tuesday morning left six patients dead, including a newborn. The blaze erupted in the ICU, sparking outrage among victims’ families who allege gross negligence by hospital staff.
Eyewitnesses reported the fire broke out around 3:30 AM on the second floor, where the ICU and neonatal care units were located. Thick smoke engulfed the building, making escape difficult. While some patients were rescued, six, including a 10-day-old infant and two elderly individuals, could not be saved.
Families Accuse Staff of Abandoning Patients
Victims’ families claim hospital staff fled instead of helping patients. “We alerted the staff when we saw smoke, but they ran away,” said a grieving relative. Another family member alleged the hospital lacked basic fire safety measures, such as functional fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
“I rushed upstairs to save my mother, but the staff was gone. They left her to die,” said the son of a 65-year-old victim.
Hospital’s Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. However, the absence of fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and trained personnel has been highlighted as a major contributing factor.
Local authorities have sealed the hospital and launched an investigation. The hospital management has yet to issue a formal statement but is reportedly cooperating with police.
Government Promises Action
The Rajasthan government has expressed grief over the incident and vowed strict action against those responsible. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced ₹5 lakh ex-gratia payments to victims’ families and ordered a statewide audit of fire safety measures in hospitals.
“This is a wake-up call. Those guilty of negligence will not be spared,” the Chief Minister stated.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The incident has sparked widespread anger, with residents demanding accountability on social media. Hashtags like #JusticeForJaipurFire and #HospitalNegligence have trended on Twitter, with calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety norms.
“How can a hospital lack basic fire safety equipment? This is a crime,” tweeted a local activist.
A Grim Reminder of Systemic Failures
The Jaipur hospital fire highlights systemic failures in India’s healthcare infrastructure. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in hospital safety protocols and stricter regulatory oversight.
As the city mourns, the nation awaits answers and accountability in the wake of this heartbreaking tragedy.
Stay tuned to NextMinuteNews for further updates on this developing story.
