Nursing Officer Returns to Duty Despite Burn Injuries After Heroic ICU Fire Rescue
Despite suffering burn wounds on his left arm and experiencing labored breathing from smoke inhalation, Bibekananda Badajena, a male nursing officer at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar, returned to his duties on Tuesday. His remarkable return came just days after he played a pivotal role in rescuing patients during a devastating fire that broke out in the trauma ICU on Sunday night.
The Night of Chaos and Courage
The fire alarm sounded around 2:45 AM, creating immediate panic. Badajena, who was on night duty in the casualty ward on the ground floor, rushed to the trauma ICU along with eight attendants. "When I entered the ICU, I saw intense flames near the first few beds and dense smoke throughout the ICU. Visibility was very low," he recounted. Three nursing staff on duty attempted to use fire extinguishers, but the fire spread rapidly due to the presence of a false ceiling and numerous ICU equipment that caught flames easily.
Most patients in the unit were critically ill, relying on ventilators or oxygen support, making the situation even more dire. Within minutes, firefighters arrived and began spraying water inside the ICU as more security guards and volunteers joined the rescue effort. Even as water was being sprayed, parts of the false ceiling began collapsing, adding to the chaos.
Coordinated Rescue Amidst Adversity
Amid the turmoil, Badajena and attendants checked patients' pulses while others moved toward the fire exit to evacuate them. "As many guards and volunteers were untrained, they tried to pull the cots. We stopped them, removed tubes from patients, and used Ambu bags (manual resuscitators) while lifting them," he explained. They then carried patients manually to the fire exit, located at one corner of the ICU, where attendants and guards were already waiting with stretchers to shift them to safety.
One by one, Badajena helped move critically ill patients to safety, ultimately saving seven lives. "At that moment, everyone from firefighters to guards, volunteers and nurses did their best to rescue as many patients as they could. It was a matter of life and death, but all chose duty over fear," he said, highlighting the collective effort.
Aftermath and Resilience
The rescue operation lasted approximately 40 to 45 minutes until all patients were evacuated. Even afterwards, Badajena and a few others stayed back, using torchlight to ensure no one was left behind. Most rescuers suffered minor burns and breathing issues due to smoke inhalation. "But none of us was seriously injured, thanks to the firefighters. We were drenched and covered in soot, but the continuous water spray helped," he added.
For the seven lives he saved, Badajena stated that the burn wounds were a small price to pay. His dedication and bravery underscore the critical role healthcare workers play in emergencies, often putting their own safety at risk to protect others.
