Four Hospitalized After Jharpada Apartment Fire; Fire Safety Lapses Exposed
A fire that erupted in a residential apartment complex in Bhubaneswar's Jharpada area on Friday afternoon resulted in four individuals, including an elderly couple, being hospitalized due to suffocation. The incident, which occurred around 2:30 pm, caused significant panic among residents and highlighted serious fire safety deficiencies in the building.
Short-Circuit Sparks Blaze, Smoke Fills Building
The blaze originated from a short-circuit in an air conditioning unit located in a second-floor flat of the four-storey apartment building. The fire quickly generated dense smoke that permeated the entire structure, creating hazardous conditions for the occupants of all 16 flats. Residents reported being trapped in thick smoke, with visibility severely reduced in common areas.
Firefighters responded promptly to an emergency call received at 2:56 pm, arriving at the scene within seven minutes. A team of five fire tenders and 30 personnel was deployed to combat the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units. Their swift action successfully contained the blaze, averting more extensive property damage and potential casualties.
Elderly Couple and Others Rescued, Evacuated
During rescue operations, fire officials discovered elderly residents Minakshi Padhi and Bibhu Padhi trapped inside the smoke-filled flat where the fire started. "Fortunately, they were in another room and not where the fire originated," stated Deputy Fire Officer Narayan Dash. The couple was immediately rescued and transported to Capital Hospital for medical treatment.
Two additional residents from another flat were also admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing difficulties caused by smoke inhalation. Medical authorities confirmed that all four hospitalized individuals are in stable condition and did not sustain burn injuries. At least 20 other residents were safely evacuated from the building during the firefighting operation as a precautionary measure.
Critical Fire Safety Violations Discovered
Following the incident, fire officials conducted an initial inspection that revealed alarming safety lapses. The apartment complex was found to be completely lacking basic fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and other essential firefighting tools. This absence of safety measures significantly increased the danger to residents during the emergency.
Deputy Fire Officer Narayan Dash emphasized that a detailed investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess compliance with fire safety regulations. Authorities will also examine whether the building falls under the jurisdiction of the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, which mandate specific safety requirements based on building height and floor area.
Community Response and Ongoing Concerns
Local resident Jayant Pradhan, who assisted in the evacuation efforts, described the challenging conditions during the rescue operation. "The corridor and staircase were completely filled with smoke, making it extremely difficult to bring people out safely," Pradhan recalled. Despite these obstacles, all residents were successfully evacuated without serious injuries.
This incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in residential buildings across Bhubaneswar. The absence of basic safety equipment in a multi-storey apartment complex highlights potential regulatory gaps and enforcement challenges that authorities must address to prevent similar emergencies in the future.
