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A devastating fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, claimed the lives of at least ten patients on Monday. Thirteen other patients who were in the unit at the time are currently undergoing treatment after being rescued from the blaze.

Following the incident, Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital along with Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling to assess the situation. The Chief Minister announced a judicial probe to determine the exact cause of the fire and declared an ex gratia compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased.

According to the Chief Minister, the fire is suspected to have started due to a short circuit in the Trauma Care ICU located on the first floor of the hospital, one of Odisha’s premier medical institutions. The flames reportedly spread quickly to a nearby ICU and adjoining ward.

At the time of the incident, 23 patients were admitted to the Trauma Care ICU. While ten patients tragically died during efforts to shift them to other ICU units, 13 others were successfully evacuated and are now receiving treatment.

Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital soon after the alert and managed to bring the blaze under control, preventing further damage.

Authorities are continuing their investigation, and more details are expected to emerge as the probe progresses.