Cuttack Hospital Fire Tragedy: President Murmu Expresses Deep Grief

A tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, early Monday morning led to the death of at least 10 patients. The blaze reportedly began inside the trauma care ICU due to a suspected electrical short circuit. Several patients were injured while being shifted to safety. President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

The accident has shocked many across the country. Hospitals are meant to be safe places, so when something like this happens people feel deeply disturbed. Authorities have now started investigations to understand exactly how the fire began.

How The Fire Started Inside The ICU

According to initial reports, the fire started between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital. Officials suspect an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze. The ICU area contained critically ill patients who were already under serious medical care.

Because the fire began in a sensitive area of the hospital, smoke and flames spread quickly through nearby sections. Medical staff and emergency responders rushed into action almost immediately. Their first priority was to move patients away from danger and prevent the fire from reaching other wards.

Despite quick response, the situation was difficult. ICU patients often depend on medical equipment and life support systems, so shifting them suddenly becomes extremely risky.

Ten Patients Lost Their Lives

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi later confirmed that ten patients died during the tragic incident. Seven critically ill patients passed away while they were being moved from the ICU to safer areas. Three others died later after being shifted to different intensive care units.

The sudden evacuation created a stressful and dangerous situation for doctors, nurses and hospital staff. They had to act quickly while trying to protect fragile patients who were already in serious condition.

Families waiting outside the hospital were left shocked when news began spreading about the deaths. For many people the tragedy felt heartbreaking because these patients were already fighting illness and depending on hospital care.

President Droupadi Murmu Expresses Condolences

President Droupadi Murmu shared her condolences after learning about the incident. She wrote on social media that she felt deeply distressed by the loss of lives in the hospital fire.

In her message, she offered heartfelt sympathy to the families who lost their loved ones in the tragedy. She also prayed for the quick recovery of those who suffered injuries in the fire.

Messages of support and concern started coming from different leaders and citizens as well. Many people expressed hope that injured patients recover soon and that authorities find the cause quickly.

Compensation Announced For Victims’ Families

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital after the incident to review the situation and meet injured patients. After assessing the situation, he announced financial compensation for the families who lost relatives.

The state government declared an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for each deceased patient’s family. This support is meant to help families during an extremely painful time.

The Chief Minister also promised that patients injured in the incident would receive the best possible medical treatment. Health authorities have been instructed to ensure proper care and monitoring.

Even though financial support cannot replace lives lost, governments often provide such aid to assist grieving families.

Hospital Staff Risked Their Lives During Rescue

During the emergency, several hospital staff members acted bravely while rescuing patients. Reports say around eleven staff members, including security personnel, helped shift patients out of the affected ICU areas.

Some of these workers were exposed to heavy smoke and flames during the evacuation. A few suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation but are now stable and receiving treatment inside the hospital.

Their quick actions helped prevent the situation from becoming even worse. Without their efforts, the number of casualties might have been higher.

Incidents like this often show how hospital workers continue risking their own safety while protecting patients.

Judicial Inquiry Ordered Into The Incident

Chief Minister Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry to investigate the cause of the fire. Authorities want to understand whether the accident happened due to technical failure or possible negligence.

The investigation will examine fire safety systems, electrical equipment and emergency response procedures at the hospital. Officials have made it clear that strict action will be taken if negligence is discovered.

The government also plans to strengthen fire safety measures across hospitals in Odisha. According to the Chief Minister, the state budget has already allocated hundreds of crores of rupees to improve fire safety infrastructure.

Additional funds will also be used to install modern fire detection and fire extinguishing systems in hospitals.

Fire Safety In Hospitals Under Fresh Focus

After this tragic incident, hospital fire safety has again become a serious topic of discussion. Hospitals contain oxygen cylinders, electrical equipment and critical patients, which makes fire prevention extremely important.

Even a small spark or electrical fault can turn dangerous if safety systems fail. Experts say regular inspections, proper wiring and functional fire alarms are necessary in all healthcare facilities.

The Odisha government has already directed the Fire and Emergency Services department to inspect safety measures at SCB Medical College and other hospitals in the state.

For now, the focus remains on supporting affected families and ensuring injured patients recover safely. But the larger question of hospital safety will likely remain in public discussion for a long time.