A fire broke out around 9 p.m. on Monday at the Ganesh Puja pandal in Dehuripali, Budharaja, Sambalpur. The blaze rapidly consumed most of the structure after cloth decorations caught fire.
Committee members were still present after devotees had finished evening darshan. Firefighters arrived and brought the flames under control in about 30 minutes. No one was injured.
Officials suspect a short circuit but have not confirmed the cause. Damage assessment is under way, and an inquiry is examining whether the pandal had adequate fire-safety measures.
