Sambalpur: A Ganesh Puja pandal in Odisha’s Sambalpur was completely gutted after a major fire broke out on Monday evening.
The scary incident took place at around 8.20 pm at the Ganesh Puja organised by Deheripali Puja committee, under Ainthapali police station in Sambalpur city.
The puja was organised on a grand scale, involving a considerable amount of money spent on the decorations and celebrations.
The puja rituals were conducted in the afternoon. In the evening, puja committee members noticed flames emanating from the pandal and immediately informed the Fire Services department.
A fire tender soon arrived at the spot, and brought the blaze under control. However, by the time firefighters arrived, the main pandal had already been severely damaged and reduced to ashes.
Sambalpur Fire Officer Sudam Kishko informed that the fire service received the call at around 8.25 pm. The pandal had been set up using an iron framework, and decorated with polyester cloth and other materials, which caused the fire to spread rapidly.
The main structure was quickly engulfed in flames, destroying the pandal and the Ganesh idol. No other property damage was reported.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.
Investigators are trying to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. However a preliminary assessment suggests that the fire may have been caused by a burning lamp or an electrical short circuit.
