Tragic Fire at Odisha’s SCB Medical College Hospital Claims 10 Lives
A devastating fire broke out in the early hours of Monday in the Trauma Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 patients.
The blaze, which erupted between 2:30 am and 3:00 am, triggered widespread panic in the hospital premises, one of Odisha’s largest state-run medical institutions.
According to officials, the fire originated in the Trauma Care department’s ICU, where critically ill patients, including around 23 admitted at the time, were receiving treatment. Preliminary assessments point to a suspected electrical short circuit as the cause, though a detailed inquiry has been ordered.
Firefighters, hospital staff, police, and patient attendants swiftly launched rescue operations. Patients were evacuated and shifted to other departments and wards to prevent further losses. Tragically, seven patients reportedly succumbed inside the ICU, while three more died during the evacuation and subsequent treatment. At least 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while bravely assisting in the rescue efforts, with some reported in critical condition.
The deceased patients are identified as Ramesh Chandra Parida, Dasru Munda, Md Nyum, Gouranga Chandra Barik, Sk Abdul Satar, Madhusudan Dalai, Krushna Chandra Biswal, Rabindra Das, Cheru Parida and Menaka Rout.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, rushed to the hospital soon after the incident to assess the situation firsthand and meet with the injured patients and affected families. Expressing profound grief, the Chief Minister directed authorities to provide immediate and proper medical care to all those injured.
“I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients,” CM Majhi said. He announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased patient. A thorough probe, including a potential judicial inquiry, has been ordered to determine the exact cause and prevent future tragedies.
