Bhubaneswar, March 16 At least ten patients died after a major fire broke out in an ICU at the Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital here in the early hours of Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
The chief minister, who rushed to the hospital, said that around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety.
Noting that there were 23 patients in the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU, the chief minister said that seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burns or suffocation during evacuation.
"A total of 10 patients have died in the incident," Majhi told reporters. He said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit.
The chief minister said the fire erupted in the ICU of the Trauma Care department of the hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated. The fire broke out between 2:30 and 3 am.
Majhi also announced a judicial probe into the matter and asked the Director General, Fire Service, to inquire into the matter and report to him immediately.
Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and doused the flames after launching an operation, the official 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 hospital and reviewed the situation. He also visited the patients, who are under treatment at the facility.
"I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff," he said.
He has announced Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased person.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the demise of 10 patients in the fire. He wished speedy recovery of the injured persons and set to visit SCB Medical College hospital, a communication from his office said.