On March 16, a massive fire broke out at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, claiming at least 10 lives and injuring several others. The fire is suspected to have started due to a short circuit in the ICU’s air conditioning system, which erupted around 2:30–3:00 am on the first floor of the trauma care department, where critically ill patients were being treated.
🔴#BREAKING | 10 Patients Killed In Major Fire At SCB Medical College Hospital In Odisha's Cuttack
— NDTV (@ndtv) March 16, 2026
NDTV's @RittickMondal joins @ParmeshwarBawa with more details pic.twitter.com/H14l14Imhg
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi rushed to the scene, confirmed the death toll, and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹25 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Reports indicate that of the 23 patients in the affected ICU and adjacent areas, seven died at the spot or during the fire, while three more succumbed later during evacuation due to burns or suffocation. At least 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while heroically rescuing patients and shifting them to safety.
There were 23 patients being treated at the trauma centre when the fire started.
As per the latest reports, firefighting teams have brought the flames under control, but the incident caused widespread panic in the state-run facility, one of Odisha’s biggest hospitals. Authorities have ordered a probe into the cause and possible lapses.
This is a developing story.
