Cuttack A six-member central investigation team is examining the circumstances surrounding a devastating fire in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack city that claimed 12 lives on March 16.
According to sources, the high-level team, comprising officials from key national agencies, held detailed discussions with hospital authorities, reviewed reports from fire services and the electricity department, and conducted an on-site inspection of the affected ICU to reconstruct the sequence of events from the outbreak of the blaze to the rescue operations after arriving here on Wednesday.
Members of the team included Commandant Aditya Kumar from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Dr. Arvind Kumar, Director from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Yogesh as CMO (DM Cell), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant Nagendra Sangram, Fire Advisor Prashanta Lonkar from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and Sunil Kumar Sahu, General Manager (T&C) of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority.
The fire broke out around 2:30 am on March 16 in the trauma care ICU, where critically ill accident victims from across Odisha were being treated. Suspected to have been triggered by an electrical short circuit, the blaze quickly filled the area with thick smoke, affecting the ICU and adjacent wards. Hospital staff, security personnel, and relatives initiated rescue efforts, shifting as many as 23 patients from the first floor.
Post-incident medical examinations revealed that nine of the 12 victims showed no external burn injuries and likely died from suffocation or smoke inhalation. Only three victims had visible burns. Samples were sent for forensic analysis to confirm the exact causes.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi visited the hospital shortly after the incident, instructed full government assistance for victims’ families, and announced compensation along with a judicial inquiry. The state government also formed its own fact-finding committee and suspended four officials for alleged dereliction of duty.
The tragedy sparked nationwide concerns over hospital fire safety, with calls for stricter adherence to protocols in critical care units. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also sought a detailed report from the Odisha Chief Secretary on the matter.
The central team’s visit is part of a wider inquiry aimed at identifying any lapses in safety protocols, electrical infrastructure, and emergency response mechanisms. Officials said the team will compile a detailed report with recommendations to prevent future incidents and submit it to the central government.
