A devastating fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early Monday morning claimed the lives of ten patients and left several hospital staff members injured, triggering a major emergency response and a judicial investigation into the incident. The blaze reportedly broke out in the trauma care intensive care unit (ICU), where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Firefighters and emergency teams rushed to the hospital soon after the incident was reported, launching rescue and evacuation operations as medical staff worked urgently to move patients to safer wards.

According to officials, the fire started sometime between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. inside the ICU area of the hospital. Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the scene to contain the flames and assist in rescue efforts. Hospital staff members attempted to evacuate patients from the affected ward amid heavy smoke and fire, with several employees sustaining burn injuries during the operation. Emergency responders worked through the early hours of the morning to control the blaze and ensure that patients in nearby wards were safely relocated.

The fatalities occurred during and after the evacuation process, as critically ill patients were transferred to other intensive care units and hospital departments. Authorities reported that seven patients died while being moved to other ICUs and wards, while three additional patients later succumbed to their injuries. A total of 23 patients were shifted to other departments within the hospital as part of the emergency response effort to prevent further casualties and ensure continued treatment for those affected.

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Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital shortly after the incident along with Mukesh Mahaling to assess the situation and review ongoing medical and rescue operations. The officials also met patients who were receiving treatment at the facility and spoke with hospital administrators about the emergency response. Majhi later addressed the media, confirming the number of casualties and injuries while emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing immediate medical care for the injured staff members and patients.

The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. According to the official statement, the state government will provide compensation of ₹25 lakh to the relatives of each victim. Authorities said the government will ensure that the injured staff members receive proper treatment and support while investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

A judicial probe has been ordered to determine how the fire started and whether any lapses in safety procedures contributed to the tragedy. The incident has once again raised concerns about fire safety standards in large public hospitals across India. Officials said the inquiry will examine infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and hospital safety systems to identify the cause of the blaze and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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