A massive fire ripped through an electric bike showroom on Wednesday evening, destroying 30 vehicles and inflicting damage estimated at over ₹50 lakhs.
The blaze, triggered by an electrical short circuit, occurred at the ADMS ebikes company showroom located at Madhipur Chhak on the Konark-Gop road.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started around sunset when an ebike was being charged inside the showroom-cum-service centre. “One moment, everything was normal, and the next, flames erupted from the charging point,” said a local shopkeeper who rushed to the scene.
The inferno quickly spread, engulfing 25 brand-new electric bikes awaiting delivery and five others brought in for routine servicing. Despite frantic efforts, the entire stock was reduced to charred wreckage by the time help arrived.
The Champahara Fire Station team received the distress call but reached the site after 30 minutes. Firefighters battled the blaze for over an hour, eventually bringing it under control. However, the damage was irreversible. “We did everything we could, but the fire was too intense due to the lithium batteries,” a senior fire official told reporters on site.
The showroom owner, Shibabrata Swain, has lodged a formal FIR at the Konark Police Station. Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation to ascertain the exact cause, with initial findings pointing to faulty wiring or overloaded charging equipment. No casualties were reported, but the incident has raised concerns about fire safety standards in electric vehicle storage facilities.
