Fire in Indian hospital kills 10, several injured; short-circuit suspected cause of the blaze

A fire broke out in the trauma care intensive care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack in the wee hours of Monday, claiming the lives of at least 10 patients, officials said.

The incident occurred around 3 am inside the ICU of the government-run hospital. Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital following the incident and confirmed the casualties.

Five of the injured are reported to be in critical condition.

Patients die during rescue operation

According to the Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seven patients died inside the ICU after the fire broke out. Three other patients died while being shifted to other wards during the rescue operation.

The Chief Minister visited the accident site and assessed the situation following the incident.

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

Firefighters and hospital staff rushed to control the blaze, and several patients were rescued and moved to safer wards.

Short circuit suspected as cause of blaze

Majhi said the fire was suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the trauma care intensive care unit. Authorities said emergency teams worked quickly to contain the flames and evacuate patients from the affected area.

Probe ordered

CM Majhi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the incident.

Officials also said 23 employees of SCB Medical College and Hospital who participated in the rescue operation were hospitalised after suffering health complications, including smoke inhalation.

Following the incident, Majhi ordered a judicial probe into the hospital fire and said strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible.