Cuttack: A massive fire broke out in the early hours of Monday at the fish market near Press Chhak in Odisha’s Cuttack, reducing much of the bustling market complex to ashes and causing extensive damage to adjoining structures, including a Bank of India branch.
According to sources, the blaze erupted around 2:30-3 am on June 1, spreading rapidly through shops, godowns, and storage units. By the time Fire Services personnel arrived, a significant portion of the market had already been engulfed in flames. Firefighting operations lasted more than six hours amid dense smoke, intense heat, and challenging conditions, with teams eventually deploying multiple fire tenders and a robotic firefighting vehicle brought in from Bhubaneswar to tackle high-temperature zones inaccessible to personnel.
The presence of highly combustible materials such as plastic items, paint containers, tarpaulin sheets, and a nearby paint warehouse reportedly intensified the blaze and accelerated its spread. A single access route into the building further hampered efforts. Firefighters also had to use oxygen masks due to the thick plumes of smoke. “We received information around 3 am that a fire had broken out at the fish market on Link Road. Upon reaching the spot, we found that the fish market as well as a nearby building were on fire… The fire has been brought under control for now, there is no problem…,” Deputy Fire Officer Abani Kumar Swain told the media.
A total of 8 fire tenders and 50 firefighters were engaged to douse the blaze.
The Bank of India branch, located on the upper floor of one of the affected buildings, was among the worst hit. Reports indicate the branch was completely gutted, with cash exceeding Rs 50 lakh, along with important documents and other assets, destroyed. Many fish traders had kept their Sunday earnings in cash on the premises, planning to deposit the money on Monday since banks were closed, contributing to heavy personal losses.
Preliminary estimates place the total damage above Rs 50 lakh, with traders reporting destruction of deep freezers, furniture, stock, and other business assets. Over 30 fish shops and related establishments were gutted, dealing a severe economic blow to vendors who rely on the market as their primary livelihood.
An electrical short circuit is suspected as the likely trigger, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about fire safety standards in crowded commercial markets and market complexes across the state. Officials are assessing the full extent of the damage and will examine whether adequate fire prevention measures and emergency access were in place.
