SCB Hospital Fire Kills 10 In Cuttack
A major fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early on March 16 left at least 10 patients dead and several hospital staff injured, triggering an emergency response and renewed scrutiny of fire safety standards in public hospitals. The blaze was reported from the trauma care intensive care unit, where critically ill patients were being treated at the time.
SCB Hospital Fire Kills 10 Patients
Officials said the fire broke out in the trauma ICU of the state-run hospital in Cuttack. Rescue teams rushed to evacuate patients as smoke and flames spread through the unit. Initial reports confirmed 10 deaths, while multiple staff members suffered injuries during efforts to move patients to safety.
Cuttack Hospital Fire Prompts Inquiry
The Odisha government has announced compensation for the families of those killed, and senior officials, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, reviewed the situation after the incident. A formal inquiry has been ordered to establish the cause of the fire and examine whether there were lapses in hospital safety systems or emergency response arrangements.
Trauma ICU Safety Comes Under Focus
Early reports indicated that the fire may have started because of an electrical fault, though the exact cause had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting. The incident has drawn attention to safety preparedness in critical care units, where patients often cannot be moved quickly without coordinated emergency support. Authorities are expected to submit a detailed assessment as the inquiry progresses.
