A devastating fire erupted at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, early on March 16, 2026, killing at least 10 patients and injuring 11 staff members.
Incident Timeline
The blaze, likely from a short circuit, started around 2:59 AM in the first-floor ICU housing 15-23 ventilator patients. Fire tenders and hospital units contained it, but evacuation challenges led to fatalities from burns/suffocation.
Response and Probe
CM Mohan Charan Majhi visited, ordering a judicial inquiry and DG Fire Services probe for compliance. Ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh each from CMRF for kin; critically injured shifted to other units.
Hospital Context
SCB, Odisha’s largest government facility, saw swift multi-agency rescue despite staffing gaps. No children among dead; probe to address fire safety lapses.
