Property Worth Lakhs Destroyed As Fire Mishaps Hit Odisha On Diwali

Sambalpur: Property worth lakhs of rupees were reduced to ashes in several fire mishap incidents in Odisha on Diwali last night. A massive fire broke out at Golbazar vegetable market in Sambalpur district destroying as many as 80 shops in the spot.

Stocks like vegetables, fruits and food items worth several lakhs of rupees were gutted in the mishap.

It is suspected that the fire broke out from earthen diyas lighted by the vendors in their shops to mark Diwali festival. However, a section of vendors dismissed the reports and claimed that some miscreants intentionally set their shops on fire.

“Five sacks of ginger, four sacks of garlic, 10 trays of tomatoes, two sacks of tamarind and other vegetables of my shop were gutted. I suffered loss worth around Rs 1.5 lakh,” said Suvedar Pandit, a trader.

“This is not a mishap. Some miscreants set our shops on fire. The traders who lighted lamps to mark the rituals doused it before closing their shops. This is for the fourth time in a row such fire accident hit Golbazar market,” he added.

Similar mishap was also reported from Khantapada in Balasore district where a footwear shop was caught fire. Property worth Rs 3 lakhs was gutted in the fire. Fire fighters from Nilagiri reached the spot and doused the flames.

While the exact cause of fire is yet to be ascertained, electric short-circuit is suspected as a reason behind the mishap.

In Dhenkanal, fire also engulfed a garment godown in Ward No 2 under Bhuban police limits destroying property worth lakhs of rupees last night. Fire fighters from Kamakhyanagar and Bhuban reached the spot and brought the fire under control.

It is suspected that the flame spread out from diyas lighted on the occasion of Diwali.

At least two persons including a junior clerk working at Anandpur tehsil office was killed last night in Diwali mishaps. Four other cases of injuries from fire crackers were also reported from several parts of the State last night.