Cuttack SCB Hospital Fire: Govt appoints retired judge to lead probe

Bhubaneswar: Following the devastating fire at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, which claimed at least 10 people lives, and left 11 others with burn injuries, the Odisha government Monday appointed retired district judge Laxmidhar Biswal to lead the judicial inquiry into the incident.

According to a notification issued by the Home Department, the panel is required to submit its report within 60 days.

According to a recent PTI report, the commission’s mandate includes a thorough examination of the sequence of events leading to the fire incident at the Trauma Care ICU, the roles and accountability of individuals and authorities involved in the tragedy.

Medical Dialogues recently reported that the chief minister, who rushed to the hospital, said that around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety. Noting that there were 23 patients at the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU and ward, the chief minister said seven patients died in the fire, while three others succumbed to burns or suffocation during evacuation.

Also Read:Fire at Cuttack Hospital ICU: 10 patients killed, 11 staff injured

The hospital’s readiness to handle such emergencies, the effectiveness of response measures taken before and after the incident, and recommendations to prevent future occurrences will also be investigated.

“The state government is deeply concerned about this matter of serious public importance,” the notification stated while emphasising the need for a judicial probe to ensure transparency and accountability.

The headquarters of the commission will be based in Cuttack, with flexibility to conduct proceedings elsewhere if necessary.

Immediately after visiting the fire incident site in SCB Medical College Hospital, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had announced a judicial probe into the incident.

Majhi also directed the Fire Service DG to personally visit the hospital and ensure fire compliance.

“If anyone is found guilty in the incident after the judicial probe, strong action will be taken,” the chief minister said, reports PTI.

Also Read:Fire breaks out at Konni Govt Medical College Hospital; patients evacuated