Cuttack: : At least 10 patients lost their lives while several others sustained critical burn injuries after a major fire broke out at the Trauma Care ICU of the Emergency Department of SCB Medical College and Hospital here in Odisha in the wee hours of Monday.
As per reports, the fire, suspected to be caused by an electric short circuit, erupted around 2:30 am on the first floor of the Emergency Department. As soon as the fire was reported in the ICU, panic gripped patients. The fire safety team and fire brigade personnel subsequently responded promptly, deploying three fire tenders to control the blaze. Patients were quickly evacuated, with critically ill individuals shifted to the New Medicine ICU.
Senior officials, including the Health Secretary, Cuttack District Collector, and DCP, rushed to the scene to oversee relief efforts.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire incident at SCB Medical’s Trauma Care ICU and visited the scene.
He has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.The CM has condoled the bereaved families and instructed to shift other patients to suitable places and continue treatment. He announced ₹25 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Majhi also met patients undergoing treatment and their relatives, assured them of best care, and directed officials to provide optimal treatment to those shifted from the ICU.
Speaking to media persons, CM Majhi said, “A few hours ago, a major fire broke out in the trauma care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital due to a suspected short circuit. As a result, the patients undergoing treatment in the Trauma Care ICU, an adjoining ICU and ward were affected.
“After the fire broke out, 23 patients undergoing treatment on the first floor of the Trauma Care ICU were shifted to safer locations. Seven critically-ill patients died during the shifting process, while three others succumbed after being moved to other ICUs. It is very unfortunate.”
The Chief Minister further noted that as many as 11 hospital staff members, including security personnel, risked their lives to help rescue patients. Many of them also sustained injuries due to smoke inhalation and flames during the shifting of patients, but they are now stable and undergoing treatment in a ward on the ground floor.
“After our government came to power, I had earlier directed the department to inspect and take action regarding fire safety measures at all hospitals across the state. In the current budget for 2025–26, we have allocated Rs 320 crore for strengthening fire safety measures, and the work is being carried out on a war footing. In the coming financial year 2026–27, Rs 400 crore has been allocated for this purpose,” the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Majhi instructed officials of all departments to ensure the installation of advanced fire-extinguishing systems in hospitals across the state.
“I have instructed the Director General of the Odisha Fire and Emergency Services (Sudhanshu Sarangi) to personally inspect the fire safety measures and ensure compliant at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
“I have also ordered a judicial enquiry into the incident. If the fire is found to have resulted from any negligence, the government will take stringent action after receiving the judicial inquiry report,” he said.
