Odisha hospital fire: CM suspends four officers

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday suspended four officers for dereliction of duty, two days after a fire at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack killed 12 patients, officials said.

The suspended officials include three personnel of the Odisha Fire Service and one from the electrical department. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioners.

“In the wake of the horrific fire incident at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, which resulted in the loss of many lives, Majhi has taken strong action by placing four officers under suspension,” the chief minister’s office said in a statement.

Sources said the action was taken based on preliminary findings of the fact-finding committee headed by development commissioner DK Singh.