Cuttack: Alleging delay in raising an alarm following the fire incident in the trauma ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in the early hours of Monday, patient attendants said that shifting of patients was extremely slow, the place being a restricted area, limiting their access and information flow.At least 23 patients were admitted to the ICU when the fire broke out. During the chaotic evacuation that followed, 12 patients died.“I heard some unusual sound and then saw flames inside the ICU area between 2.30am and 3am. There was chaos as hospital staff started moving patients out in a hurry,” said Suraj Dalei, an eyewitness, whose uncle Madhusudan (52) who died in the fire.The Balasore resident alleged that a delay in raising the alarm may have contributed to the casualties.Many claimed a siren was sounded only after the fire intensified.“Had authorities been informed immediately, many lives could have been saved. The alarm was raised after the fire spread, by which time smoke had already filled the ICU,” said Ranjan Sahoo, an attendant.Relatives further alleged that the fire safety equipment installed inside the ICU, including sprinklers and extinguishers, did not function when the fire broke out, worsening the situation for critically ill patients.“We saw hospital staff trying to control the fire first. Later we came to know that the sprinklers and fire extinguishers did not work, making the situation more dangerous,” said Prakash Nayak, another attendant.According to sources, fire services were informed around 15 minutes after the fire intensified, and firefighters reached the hospital after another 15 minutes.“We were standing outside and security guards did not allow us to enter as it is a restricted area. We had no idea what was happening to our patients,” said Subodh Behera.Personnel from Odisha Fire and Emergency Services eventually brought the blaze under control.“Our personnel ensured the evacuation of patients from the affected area. The exact cause of the fire will be known only after a detailed investigation,” said Sanjib Behera, city fire officer.
