Puri: As many as 20 houses were gutted after a massive fire broke out at Badheipatna village under Niali police limits in Puri district in the early hours on Monday.
On being informed, fire personnel rushed to the spot. It took them more than an hour to douse the flames.
Though there was no reports of injury or casualty, properties worth several lakhs of rupees were reportedly reduced to ashes in the fire.
Following the mishap, the villagers gheaoed the local office of CESU demanding compensation.
“Despite several requests, the electricity officials took no step to fix the overhead wires which were in bad condition. This led to the mishap in the village,” a local resident alleged.
Fire personnel suspect short circuit to have triggered the fire.