Fire in Cuttack hospital ICU kills 10 patients; Odisha CM orders judicial probe

At least ten patients were killed after a major fire erupted in an ICU at Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in the wee hours of Monday, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.

Majhi, who rushed to the hospital, said around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety.

The fire erupted at the ICU of the Trauma Care department of the hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated.

Noting that there were 23 patients at the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU and ward, the chief minister said seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burns 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.

The fire broke out between 2.30 and 3 am. Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and doused the flames after launching an operation, an official said.

Fire service officials, along with hospital staff, police and patients’ attendants, rescued patients undergoing treatment in 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 concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff,” he said.

The chief minister also announced a judicial probe into the incident and directed the DG, Fire Service, to inquire into the matter and submit a report 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, the chief minister assured.

He has announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of each deceased person.

Prime minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the incident and announced that an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased.