Bhubaneswar: A devastating fire that erupted last night at a supermarket near Lingipur in the Dhauli area of Bhubaneswar continues to burn fiercely even after 12 hours, with firefighters still struggling to bring it under full 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 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, including plastics and other flammable materials in the building, have contributed to the fire’s rapid intensification and prolonged burning. Two holes have been drilled into the building and a remote-controlled robot also deployed to get inside the massive blaze. The firefighters are also using fire-suppression foam to contain the flames.
A short-circuit is suspected as a possible cause of the fire.
