At least 10 patients were killed and seven others injured after a massive fire broke out at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early on Monday, officials said.
Mohan Charan Majhi said the blaze erupted in the trauma care unit and is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit in the ICU’s air-conditioning system or medical equipment. The Government of Odisha has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident.
According to preliminary information, the fire broke out around 3 am on the first floor of the trauma care unit, where 23 patients were undergoing treatment. Majhi said seven patients initially died inside the ward before rescue operations began, while three others later succumbed after inhaling smoke triggered by the blaze.
Within minutes, thick smoke engulfed the ICU ward, creating panic among patients and hospital staff. Despite swift evacuation efforts by medical personnel and fire safety teams, the dense smoke and intensity of the blaze proved fatal for several patients who were already in critical condition.
Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot and battled the flames for hours before bringing the situation under control. Several patients were rescued and shifted to other wards in the hospital for continued treatment and life support.
Following the incident, the chief minister visited the hospital to review the situation and met the families of the victims as well as those injured in the blaze. He later announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased patient.
“There were 23 patients admitted to the ward. Seven people initially died inside the ward before the rescue operation. Three people later died due to inhaling smoke after they were rescued. A total of 10 people have died now. At least five patients and two hospital workers were injured and are undergoing treatment,” Majhi told reporters.
Senior officials, including Odisha Health Secretary Aswathy S, Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde and Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari, supervised the rescue and relief operations.
Officials suspect that an electrical short circuit in the ICU’s air-conditioning system or medical equipment may have triggered the blaze. A high-level probe has been ordered to determine the exact cause and examine whether there were lapses in fire safety protocols.
Established in 1944, SCB Medical College and Hospital is one of the oldest and largest government medical institutions in eastern India. It serves as the largest referral hospital in Odisha, receiving critically ill patients from across the state and neighbouring regions.
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