National, March 16: At least ten patients died after a fire broke out in an intensive care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of March 16, officials said.
Mohan Charan Majhi, who visited the hospital soon after the incident, said the blaze erupted in the ICU of the Trauma Care department between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. while critically ill patients were undergoing treatment.
There were 23 patients admitted in the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU at the time of the incident. Seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burn injuries or suffocation during evacuation.
“A total of 10 patients have died in the incident,” Majhi told reporters at the hospital.
Around 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while rescuing patients and shifting them to safety. Personnel from the fire services rushed to the hospital and brought the blaze under control after launching an operation.
Officials said firefighters, along with hospital staff, police personnel and attendants of patients, evacuated those admitted in the ICU and shifted them to other departments of the hospital.
The Chief Minister said the fire was likely caused by a short circuit.
Majhi, accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, reviewed the situation at the hospital and met injured patients undergoing treatment.
“I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff,” he said.
The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased patient and ordered a judicial probe into the incident. He directed the Director General of Fire Services to conduct a separate inquiry and submit a report immediately.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the deaths and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. His office said he is expected to visit the hospital.
