Odisha Hospital Fire Kills 10 in Trauma Centre, Injures Staff

Ten patients have died and 11 hospital staff were injured after a fire broke out in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. The blaze, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, erupted around 02:30 local time on Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday).

All those killed were patients, while the injured staff suffered burns while attempting to rescue them. State Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi praised the hospital personnel for risking their lives and confirmed that those hurt are receiving treatment.

The fire affected the trauma care ICU, an adjoining ICU, and several wards. Patients were quickly relocated to other departments within the hospital after fire services brought the blaze under control. SCB Medical College is among Odisha’s largest government-run medical facilities.

“This is a tragic incident. Officials have been directed to provide the best possible care to those injured,” Majhi said. The state government has announced financial compensation for the victims’ families and ordered a judicial inquiry, with strict action promised against anyone found responsible.

Hospital fires are a recurring concern in India, often linked to electrical faults. Similar incidents include:

October 2025, Rajasthan: six critically ill ICU patients died in a hospital fire.

2024, Jhansi: at least 10 newborns were killed in a neonatal ICU fire.

2021, Virar: 13 Covid-19 patients died in an ICU blaze.

2021, Bhandara, Maharashtra: 10 infants died in a newborn care unit fire.

Hospitals are particularly vulnerable to fires due to the extensive electrical equipment, oxygen systems, and the presence of patients who cannot be moved quickly in emergencies.