Major fire engulfs businessman’s house in Keonjhar’s Barbil

A major fire broke out at the residence of a cloth merchant in Barbil town of Keonjhar district early on Thursday morning, gutting goods worth over a lakh of rupees. The blaze engulfed the house of businessman Rohatash Agrawal, causing extensive damage to property.

The ground floor of the building was seen engulfed in flames, which soon spread to the upper floor. Four fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot and are engaged in efforts to bring the situation under control.

Fire Origin Suspected on Ground Floor

Preliminary information suggests that the fire started in cotton and bedding materials stored on the ground floor before spreading upwards. The exact cause of the blaze is yet to be confirmed.

Locals first spotted the fire and reported the incident, prompting an emergency response. 

Family Escapes Unhurt

According to available information, some passers-by noticed flames rising from the house in the early hours and alerted the occupants. The Agrawal family, who were on the second floor at the time, were informed about the fire.

In a tense situation, nine family members, including two young daughters, managed to evacuate the building safely. Fortunately, all nine members of the family are safe. Their timely escape helped avert a major tragedy.

Firefighting operations are underway as authorities continue efforts to fully douse the flames.