Cuttack: A fire erupted at Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) office on Link Road in Odisha’s Cuttack, early Tuesday morning, causing significant damage to the premises.
According to sources, the blaze broke out around 5:30 am. Firefighters from Chauliaganj Fire Station responded swiftly upon receiving the alert. Three fire tenders and a team of 22 personnel were deployed to the spot. Thick smoke was seen billowing from the building as firefighters battled the blaze for over two hours before it could be brought under control.
Sources further stated that two rooms inside the office were completely gutted and several important documents and files were reduced to ashes.
Assistant Fire Officer Jitendra Das stated that the office lacked adequate fire safety measures, raising serious concerns about compliance with safety regulations. Preliminary findings indicate that lack of proper fire safety measures likely exacerbated the damage.
Assessment of the damage is underway, the sources added.
This incident comes shortly after a tragic short-circuit fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack earlier this month, which claimed 13 lives, and even as the state prepares for a fire safety mock drill on March 28.
