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A fire broke out at Urban Co-operative Bank situated at Balagandi Square near Town Police Station in Kendrapara district on Wednesday.
Also Read: Fire breaks out at Punjab National Bank in Odisha’s Jagatsinghpur
Thick smoke was seen rising from the building. Important documents of the bank kept in a room have been gutted in the inferno, some eyewitnesses expressed. “The room where the fire appeared to have started is known to house significant bank documents,” they said.
On being informed, firefighters arrived at the spot but encountered difficulties accessing the inner sections to combat the flames. The fire services personnel doused the flames after striving for nearly an hour.
Initial reports suggest that the blaze might have been caused by a short circuit.
Details of the fire incident are still emerging, with a police team probing to determine the precise cause. “No injuries have been reported at this stage, and the extent of the damage is being assessed,” a fire services personnel of the team stated.
Both incidents involved electrical failures during non-operational hours, highlighting systemic issues in post-closure safety protocols. Neither bank had implemented complete power shutdown procedures after business hours, informed sources.
Operational impacts & preventive measures
The Jharsuguda incident disrupted financial record-keeping, while Jagatsinghpur's fire resulted in property loss exceeding Rs 5 lakh. Both banks maintained functional currency reserves through secure storage.
Authorities are developing enhanced fire safety directives including mandatory power disconnections and upgraded electrical systems. The Reserve Bank of India plans state-wide audits of banking infrastructure ahead of monsoon season.
PNB incident in Jagatsinghpur
Earlier on February 9, 2025, a fire destroyed electronic equipment and documents at Punjab National Bank's Durga Bazaar branch in Jagatsinghpur. The 3-hour blaze required four fire engines to be doused, with a short circuit identified as the primary cause.
Must Read: Fire breaks out at Union Bank Branch in Jharsuguda; documents damaged
Fire in Jharsuguda Union Bank
A significant fire erupted at Union Bank's Sarabahal Road branch in Jharsuguda on April 6, 2025, damaging critical documents and files.
The blaze, detected by locals at around 10:30 AM, was contained by firefighters before structural damage occurred. Investigations attribute the cause to an electrical short circuit from an air conditioner left operational overnight.
