Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: A tragic fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital claimed the lives of at least 10 patients and left several others with critical burn injuries in the early hours of Monday, triggering panic among patients and hospital staff.

According to reports, the blaze broke out around 2:30 am on the first floor of the Emergency Department’s Trauma Care ICU. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. As smoke and flames quickly spread inside the ICU, panic gripped patients and attendants in the ward.

Emergency response teams, including the fire safety unit and firefighters, rushed to the spot. Three fire tenders were deployed to bring the flames under control. During the rescue operation, 23 patients admitted to the ICU were evacuated and shifted to safer locations, including the New Medicine ICU.

However, seven critically ill patients reportedly died during the evacuation process, while three others succumbed to their injuries after being shifted to other intensive care units.

Senior officials, including the Cuttack District Collector, Health Secretary and police authorities, rushed to the hospital to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

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