Cuttack: A fire broke out again at SCB Medical College and Hospital here on Wednesday, triggering panic among patients and attendants, though no casualties were reported.
The incident occurred in the non-trauma casualty ward in the afternoon, just days after a deadly blaze at the same hospital. Smoke was noticed billowing from the ward, prompting authorities to immediately shift patients to safer locations. More than 100 patients undergoing treatment were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
According to reports, the in-house fire safety system responded promptly, with smoke detectors going off soon after the incident began. Fire services personnel rushed to the spot and managed to bring the situation under control within a short time.
Preliminary findings suggest that a short circuit in an electrical panel board may have triggered the fire. Officials confirmed that the situation is now under control and normalcy has been restored.
The latest incident comes close on the heels of a major fire on March 16, which claimed 12 lives and left 20 others injured. That blaze had reportedly originated in the Trauma ICU on the first floor due to a suspected short circuit while patients were asleep.
