Fire at SCB Medical College: 10 patients killed, 11 staff injured; Odisha CM announces probe

BHUBANESWAR: At least ten patients were killed after a major fire erupted in an ICU in Odisha government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital here in the wee 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 at the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU and ward, the chief minister said 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 at 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 matter and asked the DG, Fire Service, to inquire into 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. If anyone is found guilty in the incident following the report after a judicial probe, strong action will be taken, assured the chief minister. The fire broke out between 2.30 and 3 am.

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 at the ICU and shifted them to other departments of the SCB hospital.

Fire at SCB Medical College

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.

Majhi informed that 11 medical officials joined their hands in the rescue operation, risking their lives, and they are under treatment in a ward in the hospital. "After assuming the office, I had given instructions to the concerned department to make all medical facility firefighting ready, and I had also directed them to take necessary action in this regard," he said.

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He further informed that the government has made provision of Rs 320 crore in the annual budget for 2025-26 for this purpose, while another Rs 400 crore is provisioned in the budget for the upcoming year (2026-27). Work is ongoing at war footing to install fire-fighting equipment in the government-run medical facilities, he added. 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.