Puri: Just a few hours after the blaze in Laxmi Market Complex at Marichikot Chhak on Grand Road in Odisha’s Puri town was completely doused, another fire broke out in Niladri Market Complex on Friday afternoon. Niladri Market Complex is a few yards from Laxmi Market Complex.
Sources said the fire broke out in a hand loom showroom in the market complex. On being informed, fire service personnel swung into action and the fire was brought under control with minutes.
Electric short circuit was suspected to be the reason for the fire.
Briefing media persons, Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said that it was a minor fire which was doused in minutes.
“It is not a major fire. People should not believe in rumours,” he added.
Outbreak of back-to-back fires in the holy town has raised question mark on the fire safety measures in the shops, buildings and market complexes.
Notably, in the forenoon, after properly inspecting all parts of Laxmi Market complex, 300 metres from Jagannath Temple, fire service personnel declared that that the fire has been completely extinguished and ruled out any danger from the building. A total of 43 commercial outlets and a bank were reduced to ashes in the fire. Assets worth crores of rupees perished.
Meanwhile, the district administration has formed a committee to be led by the Puri sub-collector to look into the cause of the fire. Local tehsildar, IIC and senior fire service personnel will be its members.
Locals alleged that the Puri Konark Development Authority (PKDA) has approved many building plans without fulfilling the mandatory fire safety and parking norms.
They have demanded regular monitoring of the fire safety measures in the town.
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