A massive fire broke out at Unit-1 Market in Bhubaneswar late Monday night, reducing more than 40 shops to ashes and causing extensive property damage. Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life were reported, according to fire service officials.
As per preliminary information, the fire originated at an idol shop located near the Capital Police Station around 1:45 am. The flames quickly spread to a parked scooter and soon engulfed adjacent shops in the densely packed market area.
The situation escalated when LPG cylinders stored inside several shops exploded, intensifying the blaze. The presence of plastic goods in nearby establishments further fuelled the fire, making containment efforts more challenging for emergency responders.
To douse the flames, 13 fire tenders, along with robotic monitors and a specialised striking fire force team, were deployed. Nearly 70 fire service personnel and 10 fire officers worked continuously for almost three hours before bringing the fire under control.
Fire officials stated that the damage was contained to the affected area, as a parking space behind the shops acted as a fire barrier, preventing the flames from spreading further.
Several shop owners expressed distress over the losses. One affected trader said their shop was completely destroyed and uninsured. Another long-time shopkeeper shared that goods worth approximately ₹3 lakh were damaged, adding that the business had been running for over 40 years.
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has initiated a damage assessment. BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana stated that despite repeated advisories, some traders continued selling plastic items, which contributed to the severity of the fire.
“Over 40 shops, including vending carts, were destroyed. Emergency response teams and two tehsil teams have been deployed to assess losses. Necessary government assistance will be extended to the affected traders,” the Commissioner said.
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire.
