Panic gripped the busy OT Road in Baleshwar on Monday following a devastating fire that gutted a local restaurant.
The inferno, triggered by an LPG gas cylinder explosion inside the kitchen, rapidly engulfed the entire structure and spread to several vehicles parked nearby.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred during peak operational hours. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud explosion inside the restaurant, followed immediately by roaring flames and thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. Within minutes, the blaze raged out of control, causing severe damage to the property.
The intensity of the fire was so severe that the flames spilt out into the street, damaging multiple vehicles parked right outside the eatery. The loud blast and rapidly spreading flames created widespread chaos and fear among commuters, shoppers, and nearby shopkeepers along OT Road. Local residents instantly rushed to the spot to assist in emergency measures while alerting local authorities.
Fire service personnel were dispatched to the scene immediately upon receiving the emergency call. Firefighters battled the ferocious blaze to prevent it from spreading to adjacent commercial establishments on the bustling corridor.
While the full extent of the financial damage is currently being evaluated, preliminary estimates suggest massive losses in structural assets, kitchen equipment, and vehicle damage. Authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain whether standard safety protocols and fire mitigation measures were in place at the venue.
