Cuttack, March 16: A devastating fire at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack has resulted in the deaths of ten patients, prompting a high-level judicial inquiry by the Odisha government. The fire, which reportedly started between 2:30 am and 3:00 am on Monday, engulfed the Trauma Care ICU where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi maintained that while the fire services and hospital staff acted quickly to shift patients, the intensity of the smoke and heat led to the fatalities.
The Chief Minister asserted that the state is committed to ensuring the safety of all public health infrastructure and noted that work is ongoing on a war footing to install modern fire-fighting systems. He declared that Rs 320 crore was allocated for this purpose in the 2025-26 budget, with another Rs 400 crore provisioned for the following year. During his visit to the hospital, Majhi affirmed that the 11 medical officials who risked their lives during the rescue operation are receiving specialized care in a dedicated ward.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik both expressed deep grief over the loss of life. The Governor maintained that affected patients have been moved to safe locations and their treatment continues without disruption. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s Office affirmed that financial assistance would be provided to support the grieving families and the injured through the PMNRF.
Hospital authorities stated that the fire likely originated from a short circuit within the Trauma Care department. Efforts are now focused on the recovery of the surviving patients, with the Health Secretary affirming that doctors have been instructed to provide the highest level of care. The Chief Minister maintained that the Fire Service DG will personally ensure fire compliance at the facility to prevent such a mishap from recurring in the future.
