Late night fire erupted inside trauma care ICU at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack Odisha. Meanwhile the incident occurred around 3 AM Monday morning. Flames suddenly spread across the trauma care emergency department located on the hospital’s first floor. Consequently panic spread quickly among admitted patients inside the medical facility. Authorities confirmed ten patient deaths during the tragic hospital incident. Some victims died due to suffocation inside the ICU unit. Others lost life during emergency transfer from the burning ward. Additionally five patients continue battling critical injuries after the incident. Moreover several hospital staff members also sustained injuries during rescue efforts although officials have not confirmed numbers.
Emergency Response And Rescue Operation
Immediately hospital staff initiated emergency action after noticing the fire. Meanwhile the hospital’s internal fire department responded first to control the flames. Shortly afterwards three external fire tenders reached the scene quickly. Firefighters therefore worked rapidly to control flames and heavy smoke. However smoke exposure and spreading fire severely affected several admitted patients. Doctors quickly evacuated critically ill patients from the ICU section. Medical teams shifted severely injured patients to the hospital’s New Medicine ICU building.
Officials And Chief Minister Visit Hospital
Soon after the incident senior officials arrived at the location. The Health Secretary reached the hospital quickly to assess the situation. Additionally the Cuttack District Collector and DCP also visited the site. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi later arrived at the hospital personally. The chief minister visited victims inside the New Medicine Building. He then reviewed the situation directly at the hospital premises.
Chief Minister Orders Judicial Probe
Odisha CMO expressed deep grief regarding the tragic fire incident. The Chief Minister inspected the affected hospital department during the visit. Furthermore he ordered a judicial investigation into the entire tragedy. Authorities must shift affected patients to safer wards immediately. Officials must also continue treatment without any interruption. Meanwhile the Chief Minister announced compensation for victims’ families. Each deceased patient’s family will receive ₹25 lakh from the Chief Minister Relief Fund.
Government Promises Medical Support
The Chief Minister also met patients receiving treatment after the fire. Additionally he spoke with relatives of injured victims. He assured families that the government will provide full support. Furthermore he instructed health department officials to ensure best possible medical treatment. Hospital authorities must also provide complete care for injured patients.
Questions Raised Over Hospital Safety
This incident marks a major tragedy inside a large government hospital like SCB Medical College. Meanwhile citizens have begun questioning hospital safety standards. Authorities have therefore launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Investigators will also examine whether negligence contributed to the incident.
