Berhampur: A massive fire damaged several vehicles at an electric vehicle (EV) showroom in Odisha’s Berhampur city on Friday.
However, there was no report of any injury or casualty.
According to sources, some locals noticed smoke billowing out from the two-storey vehicle showroom near Reddy Garage Square at Tulasi Nagar under Town police limits this morning. Two fire brigade teams soon rushed to the site to douse the flames.
While the firefighters manage to control the blaze on the ground floor after an hour-long effort, fire on the first floor was yet to be doused till filing of the report.
Sources said that heavy smoke emanating from the building had made the task difficult.
Though the origin of the blaze is yet to be ascertained, a short circuit is suspected to be the cause. Several vehicles, including both two-wheelers and four-wheelers, have been severely damaged in the mishap.
Fire Services official Pradeep Patnaik said that fibre waste, bikes and vehicle parts stocked on the upper floor in the showroom were destroyed in the fire. The loss may mount to Rs 60-70 lakh.
Meanwhile, local authorities have initiated a probe into the cause of the fire and have urged nearby shop owners and businessmen to review fire safety measures at their establishments to prevent similar mishaps.