'Mysterious' Fire Outbreaks In Odisha Village Baffle Residents

Bhadrak: Several unexplained and mysterious incidents of fire breaking out in houses at a village in Odisha's Bhadrak district have triggered panic among the residents.

According to sources, eight houses have caught fire in the last four days at Das Sahi of Hasinpur in Banta area of Bhadrak district. While the root cause of the recurring fire outbreaks is yet to be known, they believe that it is the act of a spirit or ghost.

Padmalochan Behera, a villager, said, that a girl at the village experienced burning sensation in her body. Soon after, incidents of fire breaking out in other houses was reported. "Whenever the girl experiences such pain, there is a report of fire breakout in the village."

The villagers are reportedly spending sleepless nights for the last four days and keeping a close vigil on all houses to find out the cause of the fire. They have also stopped cooking foods in their houses apprehending that the flame from the clay stoves would cause fire.

"All of a sudden houses are catching fire. We are in fear and don't know the reason of fire," said Sukumar Das, whose house was gutted in fire mishap.

The fire service official, who took stock of the situation, is also clueless about the mysterious fire. "The villagers have stopped cooking foods. I examined their kitchens but did not find any clue related to the cause of the fire. Electricity connection has also been snapped in the area," the official said.

Some villagers claimed that it is an act of supernatural power or spirit. "As we are witnessing the recurring of fire, it is definitely an act of a spirit and ghost. Some religious activities may stop such incidents" said spiritualist, Sangram Acharya.

On the other hand, rationalist Debendra Sutar said, "There is no role of black magic or spirit behind the fire incidents. Someone is deliberately setting the houses on fire."