Bhubaneswar: A devastating fire that erupted last night at a supermarket near Lingipur in Dhauli area of Bhubaneswar continued to burn fiercely even after 12 hours, with firefighters struggling to bring it under control even after several hours of intense efforts.
According to sources, the blaze broke out on the third floor of the multi-storey supermarket building at around 10.30 pm on Monday, quickly spreading and engulfing stored goods. Local residents spotted thick smoke and towering flames, and alerted fire services. Around 40 fire tenders rushed to the scene and launched a large-scale operation. Two employees, who were trapped in the mall, were rescued using a hydraulic crane.
A significant stock of combustible household items, particularly plastic and rubber, contributed to the spread of fire and prolonged the burning. The firefighters drilled large holes and broke portions of the structure to release smoke. A remote-controlled robot was sent inside to suppress the fire from within. Fire-suppression foam was also used to contain the flames, which destroyed property worth several lakhs of rupees.
“Water was largely ineffective against the highly flammable materials, making foam compounds essential to control the blaze. It was also a challenge to access the building as it lacked adequate windows and exit point,” Fire and Emergency Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi told the media.
A short-circuit is suspected as a possible cause of the fire.
