Massive fire reduces shops to ashes in Bhubaneswar

As many as two shops were gutted in a massive fire that broke out at Jharapada area in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

The shops, which were gutted in the fire, are KK Trading and Supreme Machinary and Tools. Property and stocks worth lakhs of rupees were reportedly reduced to ashes.

Though the exact reason behind the fire has not been immediately known, short circuit is believed to have caused the ignition and its subsequent spread.

On being informed, fire personnel rushed to the spot and two fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the flames. The whole building has been filled with smoke.

No injury has been reported in the accident so far.

As per reports, it has become a huge challenge for the fire service personnel as the fire is gradually spreading to the other shops in the building. Due to high density of smoke, fire personnel are not able to enter into the building.

“The shops in the building were closed due to Sunday. The fire broke out in the afternoon. We came to know about the accident soon as we are leaving near by the shop,” said an employee of the shop.

“Fire had broken out in our shop some six-seven months back. But it was not that massive like this time. Now fire has started spreading to other nearby shops,” said another employee of a shop.

However, a fire officer said that things are under control now.

“Fire has been almost doused. After some time things will be fully controlled. It is expected that fire broke out either from the batteries stored in the shop or due to short circuit,” said a fire officer.