A devastating fire broke out in Bada Khatiakudi village under Krushna Prasad block of Puri district, destroying three thatched houses and causing property damage worth several lakhs.
The incident occurred around 3 PM when a gas leak from a cooking cylinder triggered a blaze that quickly engulfed the homes.
The fire originated while cooking was underway and rapidly spread to household items, furniture, and roofing materials. The affected homes belonged to Mayadhar Tarei, whose entire property was reduced to ashes within minutes. Items lost in the fire include TVs, refrigerators, utensils, clothing, food stock, and even wedding ornaments and cash saved for his daughter’s marriage.
Fire services from Malud, led by Officer Pradeep Behera, responded promptly and managed to contain the blaze before it could spread to neighboring houses. Despite the rapid response, the damage was extensive.
Local officials including RI Dilip Kishan, Tehsildar Bikash Sethy, and Sarpanch Binapani Pradhan visited the site and conducted an assessment. They assured the affected family of support, including temporary housing, food, clothing, and compensation for the losses.
The incident has sparked calls for improved safety awareness around LPG usage in rural areas and better emergency preparedness.
