Several shops reduced to ashes in fire mishap in Bhubaneswar Saheed Nagar

A major fire broke out at a snacks and mixture shop in the Saheed Nagar area of Bhubaneswar early in the morning on Saturday. Sources reported that at about 5 to 5:30 am in the morning, a thick blanket of smoke engulfed the area as flames started to rage on.

Cause of fire and eyewitness statements:

Several teams of firefighting personnel are currently deployed in the shop and are actively trying to douse the flames but they had to bring it under control, as per the last reports.

Sources added that the fire caught hold of raw materials present in the factory including oil, which likely contributed to its growing intensity. While the fire completely ravaged the factory, flames also spread to an adjacent ayurvedic shop and a juice stall, forcing firefighters to race against time to control the blaze.

“Mixture is manufactured here and the shop’s staff usually prepare snack items late at night. Negligence on the part of any of the staff in handling the oil and other raw materials or a possible short circuit may have caused the flames to rage,” stated a local eyewitness.

Locals evacuate nearby areas:

As of the latest reports, the snack shop and factory caught fire for reasons yet to be ascertained. Since the flames continued to spread high, locals started evacuating nearby houses as the risk of the fire spreading further loomed large.

Delay in arrival of fire department personnel:

Locals present at the spot alleged that a delay of about 45 minutes in the arrival of fire department personnel caused the intensity of the fire to increase. “We rang the fire control office at about 6:10 am, but their personnel did not arrive until 7 am. In that time, the flames spread rapidly and also engulfed nearby trees and buildings,” claimed a local.

Sources also added that firefighters have been trying to contain the flames for nearly two hours of continuous efforts. While some portions of the fire had been doused, a large section was still burning.

No comments from the fire department personnel could be obtained as of yet and neither has the exact cause of the fire been known.