Bhadrak, Jan 5: Bhadrak district witnessed a devastating fire late Sunday night that reduced almost an entire village to ashes, leaving seven families without shelter.

The incident occurred in Chhatrapada village under Narendrapur panchayat of Tihidi block, where flames engulfed homes and livestock in the dead of night.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire broke out suddenly while villagers were asleep. Within minutes, it spread from one house to another, consuming everything in its path. As many as 10 houses belonging to seven families were completely destroyed.

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Tragically, 10 cattle and more than a hundred goats were burnt alive, while nearly a hundred sacks of paddy stored for the season were reduced to cinders.

Residents described the blaze as so intense that escaping with their lives was a struggle. Families fled with nothing but the clothes they wore, unable to save household belongings or food supplies.

The affected families include those of Sanatan Nayak, Jada Nayak, Manas Nayak, Sudhakar Nayak, Dasharathi Nayak, Chakradhar Nayak, and Gunanidhi Nayak, all of whom are now left destitute.

Villagers immediately alerted the fire brigade, but by the time they arrived, the flames had already consumed the houses and livestock. The chilling winter night compounded the misery, forcing the displaced families to spend hours under the open sky.

Local residents have urged the administration to provide urgent relief, including food, clothing, and temporary shelter. Authorities are expected to assess the damage and extend assistance, though the exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

The incident has sparked widespread concern in the district, highlighting the vulnerability of rural households to sudden disasters.