A devastating fire broke out at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early Monday, claiming the lives of at least 10 patients. The fire erupted around 3:00 AM in the ground floor of the trauma care unit and rapidly spread to the ICU and adjacent wards, filling the building with dense, suffocating smoke.

Three fire tenders were rushed to the scene and managed to bring the fire under control after several hours. Hospital staff successfully evacuated many patients to safer zones, but the intensity of the blaze made rescue operations difficult. At least seven people, including five patients and two staff members, were reported injured. Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit in the hospital’s air conditioning system or medical equipment as the probable cause.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital to assess the situation and console the families of the victims. He has announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for each of the deceased. A high-level investigation has been ordered to determine the cause and to examine whether there were any lapses in fire safety protocols at the historic institution, which was established in 1944.