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At least 15 fire brigade teams from all fire stations of Bhubaneswar were engaged to douse the flame. At least three hours of hardship, the fire personnel managed to extinguish the inferno. “ as many as 80 to 90 fire personnels were pressed into service. Fire brigade teams from all stations of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jatani and Balianta are trying hard to control fire”, Sukanta Sethy, Chief Fire Officer, said at the spot while monitoring the operation.
Though no casualty or injury was reported, the slum dwellers said they failed to save their hard earned properties from the clutches of fire.
“We had no other option rather to stand as a mute spectator as inferno spread so rapidly. We ran away out of the room to save life and could not save any of our properties,” a fire victim said.
They demanded government assistance including polythene sheets and dry foods. “We lost everything in fire. We are leaving under open sky. We have nothing to eat and feed our children. Government should help us”, a woman from the slum said.
MLA Bijay Mohanty said “Every possible help will be provided to the fire victim. We are trying a lot”.
It was a tough time for the fire officials to get in to the fire as the area situated in a narrow lane which posed hindrance for the fire rescue vehicles to enter the area.
Local residents said the fire broke out in the evening. Although no one could say what caused the fire, some said it might have been a short circuit.