A massive fire tore through a three‑storey market complex in Gandhi Nagar, Balangir, early Friday morning, destroying eight shops and assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.
Smoke first appeared from a shop on the ground floor around 5:30 AM. Locals quickly alerted Fire Services, but flames spread rapidly before firefighters arrived. More than three fire tenders fought the blaze and managed to control it after sustained efforts.
The fire gutted a garage, a furniture shop, a mixer grinder store, a vehicle spare parts shop, an EV bike garage, and part of a medicine shop. Around 20 vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters, and several electric vehicles, were reduced to ashes inside the garage.
Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit triggered the fire. The incident caused extensive damage to goods, vehicles, and infrastructure. Preliminary estimates suggest losses exceeding Rs 1 crore.
Despite the scale of destruction, no casualties occurred. Officials have begun assessing the damage and investigating the cause. The Balangir market fire highlights the urgent need for stronger safety measures in commercial complexes.
