Early Morning Fire Ravages SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Claiming 12 Lives
A catastrophic fire broke out in the early hours at the state-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 patients and leaving 20 others injured. The incident, which occurred around 2:40 am, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit in the first-floor trauma ICU, quickly spreading to upper floors and creating chaos in the state's oldest and largest healthcare facility.
Chaotic Evacuation and Rescue Efforts Amid Flames
As flames engulfed the first floor and rapidly advanced to the second and third floors, horrified nurses sprang into action, first alerting attendants and then assisting numerous patients in evacuating the building. Out of 23 patients housed in two ICU rooms, seven perished on the spot, while three succumbed during relocation to other hospital sections. Later, a 45-year-old man and an 11-year-old girl died in the medicine ICU, according to in-charge Jayant Panda. Four individuals remain in critical condition, fighting for their lives.
This tragedy evokes painful memories of a similar 2016 fire at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, which claimed 21 lives, highlighting ongoing safety concerns in healthcare infrastructure.
Government Response and Judicial Probe Announced
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a comprehensive judicial commission, led by retired district judge Laxmidhar Biswal, to investigate the fire's causes. The commission will analyze the sequence of events, examine the roles and accountability of authorities, and assess the hospital's preparedness for such emergencies. Additionally, CM Majhi declared an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and ordered a six-member fact-finding team under development commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, terming it "deeply painful" in an X post. The PM announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for each deceased's family and Rs 50,000 for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences, emphasizing the nation's grief.
Eyewitness Accounts and Hospital Safety Concerns
Patients' attendants were left devastated, with many unable to speak hours after the ordeal. Niranjan Swain of Kendrapada district shared his anguish, stating he believed his sister-in-law Menaka Rout was in safe hands as she recovered from head injuries. "Doctors had said she would come out of the ICU this week. Never imagined something like this," he lamented.
Hospital sources revealed warning signs prior to the major blaze, including a minor spark in an overhead AC that produced small flames, which were initially doused. Moments later, another fire erupted and spread rapidly, raising critical questions about prevention measures. Notably, there was a delay of over 15 minutes between the incident and reporting it to on-campus fire services.
DG of Fire Services Sudhansu Sarangi confirmed that the department received information via the emergency 112 system at approximately 2:58 am, with firefighters arriving within two minutes. Health Secretary S Aswathy reported that 11 staff members injured during rescue operations are out of danger, praising their bravery.
Personal Stories of Loss and Resilience
Ghanshyam Behera of Daspalla, who was outside the building, assisted in rescuing others and recounted carrying his father on his shoulder to safety from the third-floor ward. His father, Jadumani Behera, has been shifted to the orthopaedic ICU.
In a heart-wrenching account, Sudipta Nayak from Bhadrak spent hours searching for her 17-year-old cousin, admitted to the trauma ICU for kidney and respiratory issues. Security guards informed her family to sign papers stating the cousin had died, but Sudipta could not locate her anywhere in the hospital, adding to the confusion and distress.
Infrastructure Challenges and Future Plans
SCB Medical College, established in 1944 with 250 MBBS seats, around 2,700 beds, and a daily OPD footfall of about 4,000 patients, has frequently faced criticism for its crumbling infrastructure. The government has announced plans to upgrade it into an 'AIIMS Plus' institution, with a new hospital building under construction and the first phase slated for completion by June. This incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols and modern facilities to prevent such tragedies in the future.
CM Majhi assured that stringent action will be taken against anyone found guilty, as the state mourns the loss of innocent lives and grapples with the aftermath of this preventable disaster.
