Overview

• Officials said the blaze started around 11:20 pm in the Neuro ICU storeroom at SMS Hospital’s trauma centre, and dense smoke rapidly spread through the ward.
• The state has verified six deaths, while several others remain critical, and hospital leaders noted many patients were comatose, complicating rescue and revival efforts.
• Twenty-four patients in the affected unit and an adjacent semi-ICU were evacuated as firefighters broke windows to enter and brought the fire under control in about one to two hours.
• Authorities named the deceased and formed a panel led by Medical Education Commissioner Iqbal Khan to review the cause, fire-safety systems and the emergency response, with forensic teams collecting evidence.
• Relatives and eyewitnesses alleged staff ignored early warnings and that firefighting equipment was inadequate, and demonstrations were held outside the hospital; officials later clarified conflicting early reports that overstated the toll.