Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: At least 10 patients lost their lives and several others sustained serious burn injuries after a devastating fire broke out at the Trauma Care ICU of the Emergency Department at SCB Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of Monday.
According to reports, the fire erupted around 2:30 am on the first floor of the Emergency Department. Preliminary findings suggest that the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit. Thick smoke quickly spread across the Trauma Care ICU, creating panic among patients and hospital staff.
Emergency response teams, including the fire safety unit and personnel from Odisha Fire and Emergency Services, rushed to the spot and deployed three fire tenders to bring the blaze under control. As part of the rescue operation, 23 patients admitted to the ICU were immediately evacuated and shifted to safer areas, including the New Medicine ICU.
However, seven critically ill patients reportedly died during the evacuation process, while three others succumbed to their injuries after being moved to other intensive care units. Senior officials, including the Health Secretary, Cuttack District Collector and senior police officers, reached the hospital to oversee rescue and relief operations.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident. He ordered a judicial inquiry and announced an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of 11 hospital staff members who risked their lives to rescue patients during the fire.
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