Bhubaneswar: At least ten patients died after a fire broke out in the Trauma Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack during the early hours on March 16, triggering panic and an emergency evacuation inside one of Odisha’s largest government hospitals.
The incident occurred between 2:30 am and 3:00 am in the Trauma Care ICU located on the first floor of the hospital building, where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. At the time of the incident, 23 patients were admitted to the ICU ward.
Hospital authorities and medical staff immediately began shifting patients from the affected ward after the blaze was detected. Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control, while emergency responders worked alongside hospital staff to evacuate patients and move them to other wards and critical care units.
Officials said that ten patients died during the process of shifting them to other departments and while undergoing treatment after the evacuation.
Fire Breaks Out in Trauma Care ICU
According to preliminary information, the fire erupted in the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital, where several critically ill patients were receiving intensive medical care.
Initial reports suggest the blaze may have been caused by a short circuit, although the exact cause has yet to be officially confirmed. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the fire.
Due to the critical condition of several patients in the ICU, the situation quickly became serious as smoke spread through the ward. Hospital staff and emergency teams rushed to evacuate the patients from the affected area and shift them to other units for continued treatment.
Multiple fire engines were deployed to the hospital, and firefighters brought the flames under control after a prompt response.
Ten Patients Lose Lives
Officials confirmed that ten patients died following the incident. According to authorities, seven critically ill patients died while being shifted from the ICU to other wards and intensive care units, while three others succumbed later during treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Ramesh Parida, Dasharu Munda, M.D. Nyum, Gauranga Barik, S.K. Abdul Sattar, Madhusudan Dalai, Krushnachandra Biswal, Rabindra Das, Cheru Parida, and Menaka Rout.
Hospital authorities said the remaining patients were successfully evacuated and shifted to other hospital departments, where their treatment is continuing.
CM Mohan Majhi Visits Hospital, Reviews Situation
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited SCB Medical College and Hospital soon after the incident to review the situation on the ground.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by the Health Minister, Mukesh Mahaling, during the visit. The leaders inspected the affected area of the hospital and also met patients receiving treatment in other wards.
କଟକ ଏସ୍.ସି.ବି ମେଡିକାଲ ଟ୍ରମା କେୟାର୍ ଆଇ.ସି.ୟୁରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣା ପରେ ଘଟଣାସ୍ଥଳ ପରିଦର୍ଶନ କରି ସ୍ଥିତି ସମୀକ୍ଷା କଲେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ। pic.twitter.com/TS5XHhcDHE
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 16, 2026
Majhi interacted with the relatives of the victims and expressed his condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. He also assured them that the government would extend all necessary support during this difficult time.
He directed officials to ensure that all relocated patients receive proper medical care and that treatment continues without interruption.
Judicial Inquiry Ordered
The Chief Minister ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and determine whether there were any lapses in safety measures.
Authorities said the inquiry will examine the circumstances leading to the blaze and identify any shortcomings in the hospital’s fire safety systems.
Majhi also directed the Director General of Fire Services to personally supervise fire safety arrangements at SCB Medical College and Hospital and to ensure that the facility becomes fully fire-compliant at the earliest.
Rs 25 Lakh Ex-Gratia Announced by State Government
The Odisha government announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased.
Chief Minister Majhi said that the next of kin of each victim who died in the fire will receive an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh.
He also instructed the Health Department and hospital authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured and other patients who were shifted from the ICU following the incident.
Speaking to the media, Majhi said the state government had already taken steps to strengthen fire safety infrastructure in hospitals across Odisha.
He noted that Rs 320 crore had been allocated in the current state budget to improve fire safety arrangements in hospitals, and that the work is underway.
The Chief Minister added that an additional Rs 400 crore has been planned in the upcoming budget to further strengthen fire safety infrastructure in healthcare facilities across the state.
