At least ten patients lost their lives after a devastating fire broke out in the ICU of the state-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in the early hours of Monday, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
CM Majhi, who rushed to the hospital after receiving the news, said that around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety.
Of the 23 patients present in the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ward, the chief minister said seven died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burns or suffocation during the evacuation process.
“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 stated that the fire originated in the ICU of the Trauma Care department, a unit dedicated to treating critically ill patients, in the hospital.
Majhi has announced a judicial probe into the tragedy and directed the Director General of Fire Services to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a report.
“I direct the Fire Service DG to personally visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and ensure fire compliance,” Majhi said.
The Chief Minister assured that if the judicial probe finds any individuals guilty of negligence, the government will take the strongest possible action against them.
The fire reportedly started between 2:30 am and 3:00 am. Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and managed to extinguish the flames after a coordinated emergency operation, the official said.
The fire service officials, along with hospital staff, police, and patient attendants, worked together to evacuate those undergoing treatment at the ICU and shifted them to other departments within the facility.
Accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Majhi reviewed the situation and visited the patients, who are currently receiving treatment at the facility.
“I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients and staff,” he said.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim.
CM Majhi highlighted the bravery of the 11 medical officials who risked their lives during the rescue and are now being treated in a specialized hospital ward.
“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.
He further informed that the government has allocated Rs 320 crore in the 2025–26 budget for fire safety, with an additional Rs 400 crore provisioned for 2026–27. Efforts to install firefighting equipment across government hospitals are reportedly proceeding on a “war footing”, he added.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief over the loss of the lives of 10 patients in the mishap. A communication from his office stated that he wished the injured a speedy recovery and plans to visit the SCB Medical College and Hospital personally.
