Panic in SCB Medical College and Hospital for short-circuit

CUTTACK: Panic spread among patients and their attendants after fire broke out due to electrical short circuit following a heavy lightning in the casualty ward of SCB Medical College and Hospital here in wee hours of Monday.

As per reports, following a lightning at around 5 am, the air-condition system of the intensive care unit (ICU) stopped functioning and started emanating smoke. Besides snapping the power supply, a leakage in the oxygen pipeline was also reported.

Eyewitness said after the incident, panic stricken patients and attendants of ICU, Trauma Care and Central ICU located in the four-storey casualty ward building ran out. Some attendants were even found carrying patients on their shoulders.

On being informed, officials of the Fire and Electricity departments reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The CESU officials repaired damaged electric wires and restored power supply. Later, the air-condition system and leakage in oxygen pipeline were also repaired.