A devastating fire broke out at a fish market near Press Chhak in Cuttack around 2:30 am on Monday, reducing more than 25 shops to ashes. The blaze triggered a massive firefighting operation that lasted nearly nine hours. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Fire services officials and police have launched an investigation to determine the origin of the fire and assess the extent of the losses.
Details of the Incident
According to fish vendors, cash, business documents, account records, and other valuables kept in almirahs were completely destroyed. Several machines, weighing equipment, refrigerators, storage units, and other tools used for fish trading were also gutted in the blaze, leaving traders facing huge financial losses. The fire rapidly spread to a three-storey building adjacent to the market and a bank located within the complex.
Santosh Kumar Sahoo, a fish vendor whose shop was destroyed, said, "I reached the spot around 2:40 am and saw everything on fire. The blaze was very intense, and all shops in the fish market were burning. Firefighters were informed immediately. All our belongings, including cash kept in almirahs, have been gutted."
Firefighting Efforts
Eight fire tenders were pressed into service to contain the inferno. Fire officer Prashant Kumar Bal noted, "Firefighters faced significant challenges due to dense smoke and the presence of highly combustible materials stored inside the market. Plastic items, paint containers, tarpaulin sheets, and other flammable goods intensified the blaze and reduced visibility."
Official Response
Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde of Cuttack stated, "The fire has been completely extinguished. We have informed the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department to conduct a structural audit of the affected building and the surrounding area. If the audit identifies any structural instability or safety concerns, appropriate action will be taken immediately in accordance with the findings."
Authorities are assessing the damage and investigating the cause of the fire. The incident has left local traders in distress, as many lost their livelihoods overnight.
