10 Killed As Major Fire Engulfs ICU At SCB Medical College Hospital In Cuttack

BHUBANESWAR, Mar 16: At least ten people were killed after a major fire broke out in an ICU of the government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack in the early hours of Monday, officials said.

The blaze erupted in the Trauma Care ICU of the hospital, where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. According to officials, the fire broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am, triggering panic in the hospital premises.

Around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients and shifting them to safety.

Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital soon after the incident and launched an operation to douse the flames.

Fire officials, along with hospital staff, police and attendants of patients, rescued those undergoing treatment in the ICU and shifted them to other departments of the SCB hospital, one of the major state-run medical facilities in Odisha.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, visited the hospital after receiving information about the incident and reviewed the situation. He also met patients who were undergoing treatment at the facility.

Addressing media persons, Majhi said the fire was suspected to have been caused by a short circuit and affected the Trauma Care ICU along with adjoining ICU sections and wards.

“A total of 23 patients were shifted to other departments. Seven critically ill patients died while being shifted to other ICUs and wards, while three others succumbed later,” the Chief Minister said.

He added that directions had been issued to ensure proper treatment for the injured patients.

The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person. (Agencies)