Cuttack (Odisha): A fire broke out late night in the Trauma Care ICU of the Emergency Department of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. 10 patients have died in this incident. The incident took place around 2:30 am on Monday morning on the first floor of the hospital when suddenly flames started rising, causing chaos in the hospital premises.
On receiving the information, the fire unit of the hospital reached the spot and immediately started trying to control the fire. Later, three fire tenders were deployed to extinguish the fire.
As a precaution, the patients admitted in the ICU were immediately evacuated. More than 10 critically ill patients were shifted to New Medicine ICU for safety and continuous treatment.
Senior officials including the Health Secretary, Cuttack District Collector and DCP reached the spot to take stock of the situation and monitor the rescue operations. The main road near the hospital was closed to help in the emergency and manage the situation.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also visited the hospital, took stock of the situation and met the injured.
CM Majhi said that 10 people have died in the fire incident. He also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh for the families of those killed in the accident. After meeting the injured and reviewing the situation with officials, Majhi said, “The fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. Unfortunately, 10 people have died in the accident. A high-level inquiry will be initiated and necessary action will be taken based on the findings.”
He further said, “While evacuating the patients, 11 hospital staff sustained burn injuries. An ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh will be given to the families of those who died.”
CM Majhi said that 23 patients were undergoing treatment in the Trauma ICU, the adjacent ICU and the ward on the first floor. Seven of them died in the fire. All of them were shifted, after which three more died. Medical staff and security personnel risked their lives to save patients; During this time he also got injured and is also undergoing treatment.
He said that when we came to power, we had instructed the department to improve fire safety measures. In this financial year, we have kept a budget of Rs 420 crore for this. Work is going on. In the next financial year, we have allocated Rs 400 crore for this…I am ordering a judicial inquiry into this incident. Whoever is found responsible for this incident, strict action will be taken against him.
Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences
Former Chief Minister of Odisha and leader of the opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed his condolences to the families of the victims. He tweeted, “The incident of fire at SCB Medical in Cuttack, in which several people died, is very heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members, and also pray for the peace of the departed souls. Also, I pray for the speedy recovery of those seriously injured in the fire. I urge the state government to ensure the best medical facilities for all the injured.”
Sophia Firdous demanded judicial inquiry
After the incident, Congress MLA from Baramati-Cuttack Sophia Firdous also reached the spot and talked to the victims’ families. Talking to the media he said, this is a very sad incident. I demand a high level judicial inquiry and to understand the shortcomings within a stipulated time frame and take strict action and ensure that such incidents do not happen in future, hence a high level inquiry from the department is very important. He said that strict action is needed against those involved in this negligence.
