10 Dead In Massive Fire At Trauma Care Centre Of Odisha's SCB Hospital; Prez Murmu, PM Modi Express Condolences

Cuttack: At least 10 patients lost their lives while several others sustained critical burn injuries after a major fire broke out at the Trauma Care ICU of the Emergency Department of SCB Medical College and Hospital here in Odisha in the wee hours of Monday.

The incident occurred at around 2:30 am on the first floor of the building. As soon as the fire was reported in the ICU, panic gripped patients and hospital staff of the premier hospital. The hospital’s fire safety team rushed to the spot and three fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control.

As a precautionary measure, more than 10 critically ill patients admitted to the ICU were immediately shifted to the New Medicine ICU to ensure their safety. Authorities quickly cordoned off the main road around the hospital premises while emergency teams managed the situation.

Soon, senior officials, including the Health Secretary, Cuttack District Collector and city DCP, rushed to the spot to monitor the situation. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, reached the hospital early morning to take stock of the situation.

CM Mohan Charan Majhi meets injured at the SCB hospital (CMO Odisha)

Majhi informed 10 persons have lost their lives in the fire accident. He also announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the victims who died in the mishap.

The victims have been identified as Ramesh Chandra Parida, Dasru Munda, Md Nyum, Gouranga Chandra Barik, Sk Abdul Satar, Madhusudan Dalai, Krushna Chandra Biswal, Rabinda Das, Cheru Parida and Menaka Rout.

"The blaze was triggered by an electric short circuit. Unfortunately, 10 people have died in the mishap. A high-level probe will be initiated by a team led by Fire Services DG and necessary action will be taken based on the findings," CM Majhi said after meeting the injured and reviewing the situation with officials.

There were 23 patients at the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU. Seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burn or suffocation during evacuation, Majhi said.

"At least 11 hospital staff suffered burn injuries during the evacuation of patients to safety. Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia will be provided to the next of the kin of deceased," he added.

"As soon as fire broke out, the staff of the hospital started rescuing the patients from the ICU...We just wanted to save as many lives as possible..." said a nursing officer.

Following the incident, President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic fire and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured. "Deeply distressed by the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured."

Extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, leading to loss of precious lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mishap at the hospital in Cuttack 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 two lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," stated PMO.

Leader of Opposition and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik has urged the state government to ensure the best medical facilities for all the injured. "The fire incident at SCB Medical in Cuttack resulting in the deaths of several people is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the grieving family members, along with prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls. Along with this, I pray for the swift recovery of those seriously injured in the fire. I urge the state government to ensure the best medical facilities for all the injured," he said.

The Mayor of Cuttack and the Tangi Choudwar MLA have been instructed to reach the site and provide assistance, Patnaik added.

Meanwhile, Cuttack-Barabati MLA Sofia Firdous has alleged negligence and demanded a judicial probe into the mishap. "This is a very big, unfortunate incident that has happened in SCB. We demand a high-level judicial probe into how the lapses happened. Why the fire systems did not function, who was handling that system, was proper inspection done? Strict action should be taken against those involved in negligence," the Congress MLA said.

Speaking to media, Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi informed that the Chief Minister has ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter. "After the announcement of a judicial probe, it is not appropriate to issue administrative-level statements on the matter. As per the State Government’s instructions, fire safety inspections have been conducted in various hospitals across the state," he said.

Gyan Ranjan Nayak, a relative of a patient, said to ANI, "We were sleeping outside around 2-2.30 AM. When I suddenly woke up after it rained, I saw there was smoke everywhere. Suddenly, the AC burst into flames. The fire system wasn't working. The fire tenders that reached here helped a lot. But several people have died..."

Janu Mohammad, another attendant, said he has no information about the patient he was attending to. "We had donated blood here, hoping that the operation would take place today. The patient has been admitted here for the past 20 days...I have come to know that 8-10 people have died. We are anxious; nobody is telling us anything...We don't know the condition of the patient," he said.

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