Soro: At least 20 houses were gutted while seven cows were charred to death in a devastating fire that broke out at Barada village under Khaira block of Balasore district late on Tuesday.
Properties worth several lakhs of rupees including utensils, furniture and other daily-use items were reduced to ashes.
Although the villagers tried their best to extinguish the flames, but could not control it completely till the houses turned into ashes.
Receiving information regarding the mishap, fire personnel rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control.
An electrical short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire incident.
