Bhubaneswar: At least ten patients were killed after a major fire erupted in an ICU in Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in the wee hours of Monday, March 16, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
The chief minister, who rushed to the hospital, said that around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety.
“A total of 10 patients have died in the incident,” Majhi told reporters. He said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit.
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.
He said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit.
The fire broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am. Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and doused the flames, an official said.
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.
Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and doused the flames after launching an operation, the official said.
The 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. Eleven medical officials joined the rescue operation, risking their lives, and they are now under treatment in a ward in the 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.
He has announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased person.
Power supply out twice, then fire broke out
According to an eyewitness, the power supply was cut twice, and then the fire broke out, and the entire ICU was filled with thick smoke.
“I have called the fire brigade personnel, and they arrived around 20 minutes later. Meanwhile, the relatives and attendants of patients joined hands with the medical staff to rescue the patients,” the eyewitness said.
Another man said he broke the window glass and poured water to douse the fire before any assistance reached the patients and hospital staffers.
“With the guidance of a sister of the hospital, I switched off some electrical equipment and rescued seven patients from the ICU, who were in very serious condition,” he said.
President Murmu, PM Modi, Patnaik express grief
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.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan condoled the loss of lives in the fire incident at the hospital and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of patients in the fire incident and announced that ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased.
“The mishap at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, is deeply painful. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said on X.
Follow on Twitter | Posted by Mohammed Baleegh | | 
