Balangir: Fire ripped through a three-storey market complex at Gandhinagar in Odisha’s Balangir town early Friday morning, completely destroying at least eight shops and causing property damage estimated at over Rs 1 crore.
According to sources, smoke was first spotted emanating from a ground-floor shop around 5:30 am, prompting locals to alert the fire services. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had spread rapidly through the building, which is located opposite the National Highway office. Multiple fire tenders were deployed, and the flames were eventually brought under control after prolonged efforts.
The affected establishments included a garage, furniture shop, mixer grinder store, vehicle spare parts outlet, electric vehicle (EV) two-wheeler showroom and garage, along with parts of a medicine shop and other units such as a mobile phone store and tent house. Around 20 vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters, and several electric vehicles undergoing repairs, were gutted. Highly flammable materials in the shops contributed to the fire’s swift spread.
No casualties or injuries have been reported.
Preliminary investigations point to an electrical short circuit as the likely cause, though officials have stated that a detailed probe will determine the exact origin. Authorities are currently assessing the full extent of the damage to goods, vehicles, and the building infrastructure. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.
