Massive fire destroys 4-storey commercial building in Balasore; loss estimated at Rs 5 Crore

A massive fire broke out at a four-storey commercial establishment named Banaja Store near Cinema Square under Balasore Town Police Station limits in the early hours of Wednesday, causing extensive damage to property worth crores of rupees.

According to preliminary reports, the fire is suspected to have originated from an electrical short circuit. The blaze spread rapidly, reportedly fueled by firecrackers stored on the upper floor of the building. Within minutes, thick smoke and flames engulfed the entire structure, triggering panic among nearby shop owners and residents.

Firefighters from Balasore rushed to the scene soon after receiving the alert. Several fire tenders were pressed into service, and the team battled the flames for hours before finally bringing the situation under control. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported in the incident.

However, the property loss has been estimated at around Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore, as large stocks of goods were completely reduced to ashes. Police officials have cordoned off the area to prevent public movement while officials from the fire services department are investigating the exact cause of the fire.

“We closed the shop at around 11.15 pm. Though the exact cause of the fire is not known, I suspect a short circuit might be the reason behind the flames. The building housed cosmetic products worth Rs 7 to 8 crore,” said the owner of the building. 

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The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety measures in the commercial hubs of Balasore town.