Bhadrak: At least 20 houses were gutted after a major fire broke out at Balipada village under Chandbali block of Bhadrak district today.
Though no casualties have been reported in the incident so far, property worth lakhs of rupees were destroyed in the mishap.
Sources said, the fire broke out at around 1 pm. Besides household items and furniture, 10 heaps of paddy were reduced to ashes in the fire. On receiving information, a fire fighting team rushed to the spot and doused the flames. It is suspected that a cooking gas cylinder explosion may have triggered the fire.
Meanwhile, Bansada and Ghanteswar police reached the spot and took stock of the situation.