10 patients dead in Cuttack hospital ICU fire; CM orders probe, Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia
CM says fire erupted at the ICU of the Trauma Care department of SCB Medical College and Hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated
At least ten patients were killed after a major fire erupted in an ICU at the Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early on Monday (March 16).
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who rushed to the hospital, said around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety. He has announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased person.
Noting that there were 23 patients at the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU, the chief minister said seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burn or suffocation during evacuation.
“A total of 10 patients have died in the incident,” Majhi told reporters. He said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit.
Majhi promises strong action
The chief minister said the fire erupted at the ICU of the Trauma Care department of the hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated. The fire broke out between 2.30 and 3 am.
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Majhi also announced a judicial probe into the matter and asked the DG, Fire Service, to inquire into the matter and report to him immediately.
“I direct the Fire Service DG to personally visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and ensure fire compliance,” Majhi said.
If anyone is found guilty in the incident following the report after a judicial probe, strong action will be taken, assured the chief minister.
Patients shifted to other parts of hospital
Fire service officials, along with hospital staff, police and patients’ attendants, rescued the patients undergoing treatment at the ICU and shifted them to other departments of the SCB hospital.
Majhi, along with Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, visited the hospital and reviewed the situation. He also visited the patients, who are under treatment at the facility.
“I have directed the officers concerned for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff,” he said.
Majhi talks about budget allocation
“After assuming office, I had given instructions to the department concerned to make all medical facility firefighting ready, and I had also directed them to take necessary action in this regard,” he said.
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He further informed that the government has made provision of Rs 320 crore in the annual budget for 2025-26 for this purpose, while another Rs 400 crore is provisioned in the budget for the upcoming year (2026-27). Work is ongoing at war footing to install fire-fighting equipment in the government-run medical facilities, he added.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the demise of 10 patients in the fire. He wished speedy recovery of the injured persons and set to visit SCB Medical College hospital, a communication from his office said.
(With agency inputs)