Fire breaks out at SCB Hospital in Cuttack, property worth crores gutted

Cuttack: A major fire broke out in the Pathology Department of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack out in the wee hours today destroying property worth crores of rupees.

Subsequently, after getting information, fire personnel rushed to the spot and managed to douse the flames. However, by the time the fire was brought under control, various machines and instruments kept inside two rooms were completely damaged.

Asaranti Kar, Head of Pathology Department said, “I reached the hospital at 8.45 am and when the peon opened the chamber, he witnessed smoke emanating from the two rooms inside the department and immediately informed me. Later, we called the fire tenders.”

Although the exact reason behind the mishap is yet to be ascertained, it is being suspected that short circuit from the electric panel inside the department could have triggered the blaze.

Manoj Mohapatra, contractor and the in-charge of Electrical Maintenance in the hospital doubted that the fire mishap might have been caused if the ACs were left on during the night.

Since several machines worth crores of rupees used for testing blood, skin and tissues of cancer, TB and other patients in the department have been completely destroyed, the hospital authorities have prepared alternative arrangements for the treatment of such patients.

Dr CBK Mohanty, Superintendant of SCB said, “Providing healthcare services is our foremost responsibility, so I have talked about it with the concerned department heads and they have assured that treatment of the patients will not be affected due to the incident.”

Meanwhile, the authorities of the hospital have directed for a probe into the fire mishap incident.

Bhubanananda Maharana, Emergency Officer of SCB said, “Investigation will reveal the exact cause behind the incident. This apart, the extent of damages incurred during the mishap is also under probe.”

It may be noted that this is not the first incident of fire mishap at the state’s premier medical college and hospital. Earlier several fire mishap incidents were reported from the Cardiology, Casualty and Surgery departments of the hospital triggering severe criticisms against the State government and hospital authorities.