Bhubaneswar: A major fire broke out in SUM Hospital in Bhubanswar leaving 22 patients dead and many injured. Latest reports revealed that while 14 dead bodies were received at the Capital hospital, 8 more deaths were reported from Amri hospital where the patients were shifted.
Many were also reportedly taken ill suffering from asphyxiation.
As many as 7 fire tending vehicles were deployed to bring the blaze under control. Moreover, thirteen 108 ambulances were also pressed into service to shift the patients out of the hospital.
According to sources, the fire broke out following a short circuit. The fire was first reported from the dialysis OT, subsequently spreading to the ICU and a ward.
“All the patients in the ICU and on the ventilator were evacuated. The critical patients have been shifted to Capital hospital and 3 private hospitals,” said deputy superintendent of SUM Hospital Basant Pati.
Soon after the incident, the State government formed a probe committee led by the DMET with collector and fire safety officer as its members to investigate into the mishap.