Odisha: Fire Breaks Out at Cuttack’s SCB Medical College Hospital; 10 Patients Dead

Cuttack. A heart-wrenching tragedy struck Cuttack, Odisha, in the early hours of Monday. A massive fire erupted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital located here. So far, 10 patients have lost their lives in this incident. Officials stated that the fire broke out sometime between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM.

*Fire Brought Under Control*
Speaking on the matter, an official explained that the fire originated in the ICU of the hospital’s Trauma Care Department and quickly escalated into a major blaze. Patients in critical condition were undergoing treatment in this unit. Upon receiving reports of the fire, teams from the Fire Department immediately rushed to the hospital. Firefighters launched an operation and successfully brought the fire under control. Hospital staff, police personnel, and the attendants accompanying the patients all assisted in this rescue operation.

11 Staff Members Sustain Burns
In their efforts to safely evacuate the patients, 11 hospital staff members also sustained burns. A total of 23 patients were hurriedly shifted to other departments and wards within the hospital.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Visits Hospital
Upon receiving news of the tragedy, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling arrived at the hospital. They took stock of the situation on the ground and met with the admitted patients. Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister stated that a short circuit is likely the primary cause of the fire. The blaze engulfed the Trauma Care ICU as well as several adjacent wards. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that seven critically ill patients passed away while being shifted to other units, following which three more patients succumbed during treatment.

Financial Assistance of ₹25 Lakh for Families of the Deceased
The Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure that there are absolutely no lapses in the treatment of the injured patients. He also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. The government has decided to provide financial assistance of ₹25 lakh to the family of each deceased person. Currently, efforts are underway to manage the situation at the hospital, and the matter is being thoroughly investigated.