Bhubaneshwar: Ten people died in a massive fire that broke out in the ICU of the Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early this morning, officials said. Around 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while trying to rescue the patients.
The fire broke out in the ICU of the trauma care unit of the hospital, where patients in critical condition were being treated, an official said. The fire broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am.
Firefighters rushed to the hospital and doused the fire after conducting an operation, the official said. Firefighters, hospital staff and police, along with patient assistants, rescued the patients being treated in the ICU and shifted them to other wards of the SCB Hospital, a premier government medical facility in Odisha.
Soon after the news was received, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, visited the hospital and reviewed the situation. He also met the patients undergoing treatment at the hospital. Speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that a major fire broke out at the SCB Medical College and Hospital due to a suspected short circuit.
It affected the Trauma Care ICU and the adjacent ICU and wards, he said. A total of 23 patients have been shifted to other departments. Seven critical patients died while being shifted to other ICUs and wards, while three others died later, Majhi said.
He said that he has directed the concerned officials to provide proper treatment to the injured patients. The Chief Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased.