Bargarh: More than 20 shops were gutted and properties worth some lakhs of rupees destroyed when a major fire broke out at the Hatapada daily market in Bargarh town late last night.
The blaze originated at a shop located at one end of the daily market at around 1 am and subsequently engulfed other nearby stores in a span of a few minutes. The blast of two cooking gas cylinders kept in a shop in the daily market worsened the situation and the properties turned into ashes.
Three fire brigade units, who rushed to the spot after receiving information, doused the blaze after a considerable time and effort.
Though the exact cause behind the blaze has not been known yet, an electric short circuit is suspected to be the reason behind the fire.
Prafulla Kumar Biswal, Bargarh Assistant Fire Officer, stated, “An inquiry is being conducted to identify the cause of fire. Undoubtedly lack of fire safety arrangements in the daily market aggravated the situation and caused losses to such an extent.”