At least 22 killed as major fire breaks out in Sum Hospital in Odisha capital

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 17:

At least 22 patients admitted to the Sum Hospital in Shampur area of Odisha capital have been killed and the casualty is likely to rise further, sources said.

According to reports, fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Dialysis ward in the first floor of the hospital due to electric short circuit this evening.

While efforts are on to shift patients to safety, seven fire engines, and hospital’s dedicated fire-fighting system has been pressed into service to douse the fire, reports added. Bronto Skylift has been pressed into service to rescue patients by breaking the open door and windows.

“Five fire tenders have been pressed into service to contain the blaze. Rescue operations are underway. More fire engines could be used,” informed Binay Behera, D G Fire Services.

Unconfirmed reports said 22 patients have died while several others have been injured during the evacuation process.

While 14 patients shifted to Capital Hospital have died, eight out of 37 patients shifted to AMRI Hospital have died, the reports added.

"Fire has been reported on one floor of the hospital building. Almost all patients have been shifted to safety. Patients on ventilator have been shifted. All patients in ICU have been shifted," informed Dr. Basant Pati, deputy superintendent Sum Hospital.

As many as  13 '108 ambulances' and few ambulances of other hospitals have been pressed into service to shift patients to Capital Hospital and three private hospitals, reports said.

Twin City Police Commissioner Y B Khurania and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Bhubaneswar) Satyabrata Bhoi are present on the spot supervising rescue operations.

Meanwhile, Health and Family Welfare Secretary Arti Ahuja has ordered an inquiry into the incident of fire at the hospital.

Ahuja said the inquiry committee will have Director Medical Education and Training (DMET), Fire Safety Officer and Khordha Collector as its members. She said the committee will inquire into the cause of the fire and whether there was any lapse on the part of the hospital authorities.

Further, Ahuja has put authorities of Capital Hospital, SCB Medical College and Hospital and other hospitals on alert in view of critical patients being shifted from Sum Hospital to these hospitals.

Khordha Collector Niranjan Sahu is present at the Capital Hospital overseeing treatment of critical patients being shifted from Sum Hospital.

Meanwhile, Capital Hospital has issued a Helpline No. (9439991226) for inquiries.