20 houses gutted in Niali fire   

Cuttack: Over 20 houses were razed to ashes when a major fire broke out at Badheipatna village under Niali block in Cuttack district during the wee hours today. Property worth over Rs 1 lakh were gutted in the fire.

Preliminary reports said the incident occurred at around 3 am and short circuit is suspected to be the cause behind the fire. However, no casualty was reported in the incident.

Getting information, fire brigade officials rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Later, local MLA and block officials, including the RI reached the spot to take stock of the situation and estimated the loss due to the fire.

Protesting the incident, affected families are sitting on a dharna in front of the CESU office in Jogeswarpur area demanding compensation. The villagers alleged that several houses were gutted as the fire fighting team did not reach on time even though the villagers had called them soon after the short circuit.