Bhubaneswar, March 16 At least 10 patients died after a major fire broke out in an ICU at the Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
He said that around 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while rescuing patients.
The chief minister, who visited the hospital, has formed a six-member fact-finding team, which will investigate the cause of the fire and submit its report by this evening.
The fact-finding team, headed by Development Commissioner D K Singh, will visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and submit a report to the chief secretary by this evening, according to a statement issued by the CMO.
Majhi said the fire likely originated from a short circuit.
The fire occurred between 2.30 am and 3 am. Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and extinguished the flames, an official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences for the deaths in the fire and announced that Rs 2 lakh ex gratia would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased from the PMNRF.
"The incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, is deeply concerning. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Rs 2 lakh ex gratia will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured," the Prime Minister's Office said on X.
The Prime Minister also spoke to Majhi over the phone and took stock of the situation.
"Honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke with me over the telephone regarding the tragic incident that occurred at SCB Medical College in Cuttack and held a detailed discussion," the chief minister said on X.
Majhi said he has informed the PM of the emergency measures, the rescue operation, and the specialized medical services being provided to the injured.
The CM also informed the Prime Minister about the judicial inquiry ordered by the state government into the fire.
"At this sensitive time, I am grateful to the PM for his sympathetic concern and assurance of necessary assistance," he stated.
The CM also announced Rs 25 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of each deceased.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan condoled the loss of lives in the fire incident at the hospital and prayed for a speedy recovery of the injured.
The chief minister said that there were 23 patients in the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU and ward, and seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burns or suffocation during evacuation.
He said the fire erupted in the ICU of the Trauma Care department of the hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated.
Majhi also announced a judicial probe into the incident and asked the DG, Fire Service, to investigate the matter and report to him immediately.
"I direct the Fire Service DG to personally visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and ensure fire compliance," Majhi said.
Anyone found guilty in the incident after the judicial probe will face strong action, the chief minister said.
The fire service officials, along with hospital staff, police and patients' attendants, rescued the patients undergoing treatment in the ICU and shifted them to other departments of the SCB hospital.
Majhi, along with Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, visited the state-run health facility and reviewed the situation.
"I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff," he said.
Majhi said that 11 medical officials joined the rescue operation, risking their lives, and they are now under treatment in a ward in the hospital.
He asserted that his government has made provision of Rs 720 crore in the budgets for 2025-26 and 2026-27 for this purpose. Work is underway on a war footing to install fire-fighting equipment in the government-run medical facilities, he added.
According to an eyewitness, the power supply was cut twice, and then the fire broke out, and the entire ICU was filled with thick smoke.
"I have called the fire brigade personnel, and they arrived around 20 minutes later. Meanwhile, the relatives and attendants of patients joined hands with the medical staff to rescue the patients," the eyewitness said.
Another man said he broke the window glass and poured water to douse the fire before any assistance reached the patients and hospital staffers.
"With the guidance of a sister of the hospital, I switched off some electrical equipment and rescued seven patients from the ICU, who were in very serious condition," he said.
Health Secretary Swasthya S told reporters at the hospital that the doctors have been instructed to provide better treatment to the injured patients.
The health condition of at least five of the 13 injured people is stated to be critical, another official said.
Odisha Governor H B Kambhampati, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the demise of 10 patients in the fire and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons.