A devastating fire at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has resulted in the deaths of six critically ill patients. The blaze, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, erupted late on Sunday night in the ICU’s storage area. At the time of the incident, eleven patients were in the unit, with two women and four men among the victims. Relatives of the deceased have accused hospital staff of negligence, a claim vehemently denied by hospital authorities. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced an investigation into the tragedy, emphasizing that all measures are being taken to ensure patient safety and care for those affected. The fire, which started in the hospital’s trauma center just before midnight, quickly spread, forcing the evacuation of fourteen patients from a nearby ICU ward. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly two hours before gaining control. Families of the victims have expressed outrage, alleging that staff ignored initial warnings and that the hospital lacked essential firefighting equipment. Hospital Deputy Superintendent Jagdish Modi refuted these claims, stating that staff members risked their lives to evacuate patients. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. This incident is part of a troubling pattern of hospital fires in India, with a 2024 fire in Jhansi claiming the lives of ten newborns. A 2023 analysis by The Indian Express revealed that 11 major hospital fires since 2019 have claimed 107 lives, often due to safety lapses and inadequate firefighting systems.