Over 200 houses gutted in fire

Bhubaneswar: Over 200 houses were gutted in fire in separate incidents in the State on Monday. No loss of life has been reported.

Sources said, around 110 houses of 60 families were reduced ashes in Jhankarapara village under Sagada panchayat of Boudh district this afternoon, after forest fire spread to the village. The blaze was so fierce that it could not be controlled by the villagers, sources added.

Strong winds contributed to the wildfire causing damage to the properties, they stated.

In another incident, as many as 50 houses were gutted in Harachua village under Gandia block of Dhenkanal district today. Firefighters from Bhuban and Gandia battled the blaze for three long hours before it was brought under control. Reason of the fire is not known.

Similarly, at least 55 houses were reduced to ashes in Rangapur village under Tarabha block of Sonepur district this evening.