Fire in ICU Ward of Cuttack’s SCB Medical College Hospital Leaves 10 Dead
Suspected short circuit triggers blaze in trauma care unit several staff injured while rescuing patients.
Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: At least ten people lost their lives after a devastating fire broke out in the intensive care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, during the early hours of Monday, officials said.
The blaze erupted in the Trauma Care ICU between 2:30 am and 3:00 am while critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Firefighters quickly reached the scene and managed to control the flames after launching a rescue operation.
During the emergency response, around eleven hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while helping move patients to safety. Fire service teams, along with police personnel, medical staff and attendants, shifted those admitted in the affected ward to other sections of the hospital.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the medical facility soon after the incident along with Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling to assess the situation and meet the injured patients.
According to the chief minister, the fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit. The flames impacted the trauma care unit as well as nearby wards.
Authorities said 23 patients were relocated to other departments. Seven critically ill individuals died while being transferred to alternate intensive care units, while three others succumbed later.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh for the families of each victim. Officials said instructions have been issued to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured in the incident.
