New Delhi, Oct 18:

Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda said that the Central Government was ready to extend any help required to tackle the fire incident that killed at least 20 persons at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.

nadda

"We have told the State Government that whatever help is required, will be extended by the Central Government. If there is any situation where the patients need our help we are ready for that too," said Nadda speaking to CNN News 18.

"Let us first of all take stock of the situation. We are deeply anguished with whatever has happened," added Nadda.

Earlier Nadda had tweeted : "Deeply saddened by the fire incident in Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar. My condolences rest with the bereaved families."

Speaking over the issue, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha said: "Due to a short circuit in a private hospital an unfortunate incident has happened today."

Pradhan, who is the face of Odisha in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, also said that the primary focus of the state government was to evacuate and rescue the people from the place of the incident.

"I spoke to the health minister and they are ready to extend their help to the state government," he said speaking to CNN News 18.

The government has set up a helpline number: 9439991226.

Notably, fire brokeĀ out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Dialysis ward in the first floor of the SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar due to electric short circuit last evening. (IANS)