Jaipur SMS hospital fire: 2 police officers brave flames to rescue patients

JAIPUR: Two brave cops went beyond their regular duties to evacuate critically ill patients from the raging flames at SMS Hospital 's Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Medicine late Sunday.

Constables Hari Mohan and Lalit Sharma, posted with SMS Hospital PS, were at the facility for a routine medical examination of a lab technician - an assault case survivor - around 11.15pm, when they spotted people screaming and running from the ICU on the first floor. As soon as they learnt what had happened, the fearless duo rushed inside to assist evacuation efforts.

TOI spoke to both policemen Monday.

"I informed my senior officers, including the SHO, and entered the ICU. I first helped a young boy with a head injury. He kept asking me if he would survive. Even after reaching the ground floor, he didn't want to leave me," Hari Mohan said. "We also unmounted some firefighting equipment from the ICU wall, which helped douse the blaze," he said, adding that the smoke was heavy and he had to wrap his handkerchief around his nose and mouth to breathe.

"Around 1.30 am, it was confirmed that six people had died, but most patients had been shifted safely. We then left for the police station," Hari Mohan. The fire did not leave him unscathed. "Around 12.30 am, while carrying a stretcher, I struggled to breathe. The hospital authorities put me on oxygen and IV fluids, and I was discharged in the morning," he added.

Lalit Sharma described how the attendants' fears turned into relief upon seeing the uniformed men.

"People were screaming for help, and except for a few, nobody dared to go inside the fire-engulfed ICU. With the help of ward boys and nursing staff, we managed to evacuate at least 12 critically ill patients. Some were on oxygen support," he said.