Fire Mishap / Massive Fire Guts Two Shops at Unit‑1 Market in Bhubaneswar; Property Worth Lakhs Destroyed

Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Panic gripped the Unit‑1 Market in Bhubaneswar early Saturday morning after a massive fire broke out, reducing at least two shops to ashes and destroying property worth lakhs of rupees.

According to official sources, the blaze was triggered by an electric short circuit in one of the shops around dawn. Within minutes, flames spread rapidly, engulfing adjacent establishments and causing extensive damage to goods and infrastructure.

On receiving information, firefighting teams from Bhubaneswar Fire Station rushed to the spot. Equipped with multiple tenders, personnel launched an intensive firefighting operation to contain the blaze. After hours of effort, the fire was brought under control, preventing further spread to nearby shops and stalls.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as shopkeepers attempted to salvage goods before the flames intensified. “We saw smoke billowing and rushed to alert others. By the time fire tenders arrived, two shops were already gutted,” said a trader at the market.

Officials said that no casualties have been reported so far. However, the financial loss is estimated to run into several lakhs, as the affected shops stocked large quantities of merchandise.
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Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the incident, with preliminary findings pointing to faulty electrical wiring as the cause.

The Unit‑1 Market, one of Bhubaneswar’s busiest commercial hubs, has witnessed similar fire scares in the recent past, raising concerns about inadequate safety measures. Traders have urged the government to strengthen fire preparedness and ensure regular inspection of electrical systems to avert such disasters.