At least ten patients lost their lives and eleven hospital staff members were injured after a major fire broke out early Monday morning at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed the casualties and said the state government has ordered a judicial inquiry to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.
According to preliminary information, the fire started around 3 am on the first floor of the hospital’s trauma care unit, where 23 patients were undergoing treatment at the time. Officials suspect that the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, possibly originating from the air-conditioning system or other medical equipment in the intensive care unit.
The fire quickly spread through the ward, and thick smoke soon filled the ICU area, creating panic among patients, staff, and attendants. Although hospital personnel and fire safety teams responded rapidly and began evacuating patients, the intensity of the smoke and the suddenness of the blaze proved deadly for several patients who were already in critical condition.
Chief Minister Majhi said that seven patients initially died inside the trauma ward before rescue operations could be fully carried out. After the evacuation began, three additional patients succumbed to severe smoke inhalation, taking the total death toll to ten. Many of the patients being treated in the ward were already critically ill, which made them particularly vulnerable to the effects of smoke and fire.
Firefighters rushed to the hospital and deployed three fire tenders to control the blaze. After several hours of firefighting efforts, the flames were finally brought under control. Emergency responders and hospital staff worked together to rescue dozens of patients from the affected ward and shift them to other areas of the hospital where life-support systems were available.
Eleven hospital staff members were injured during the rescue operation while trying to save patients from the smoke-filled ward. The Chief Minister praised their efforts, noting that the medical personnel risked their own lives to help evacuate patients during the emergency. Those injured are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
Soon after the incident, Chief Minister Majhi visited SCB Medical College and Hospital to review the situation firsthand. During his visit, he met with the families of the victims as well as with the injured staff members. He also announced financial compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each person who died in the fire.
Senior officials, including Odisha’s Health Secretary Aswathy S, Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, and Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari, were present at the site and supervised the rescue and relief operations. Authorities are now focusing on assessing the extent of the damage and ensuring that the remaining patients receive proper care.
Initial investigations suggest that the blaze may have been caused by an electrical malfunction, possibly linked to the ICU’s air-conditioning system or other medical devices. However, officials have said that the exact cause will only be confirmed after a detailed inquiry. A high-level investigation has been ordered to examine whether there were any lapses in fire safety systems or emergency preparedness at the hospital.
SCB Medical College and Hospital, established in 1944, is one of the oldest and largest government medical institutions in eastern India. It functions as the biggest referral hospital in Odisha and treats critically ill patients from across the state as well as from neighbouring regions. The incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in major healthcare facilities.
