Major Fire Engulfs Bhubaneswar Market Complex for Over 18 Hours
A catastrophic fire erupted in a four-storey market complex located in Lingipur, Bhubaneswar, on Monday night, leading to an extensive fire-fighting effort that persisted until Tuesday evening, spanning more than 18 hours. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident, which commenced around 10:30 PM on Monday. However, the intense blaze inflicted severe damage to the building, causing visible cracks in its structure.
Challenging Fire-Fighting Operation
Firefighters faced significant obstacles during the operation, including a lack of access points, dense smoke, repeated flare-ups, and the market's congested layout with inadequate ventilation. To combat the thick smoke, crews were compelled to drill holes and break sections of the walls. The fire, fueled by substantial stocks of plastic and rubber materials, spread rapidly from the third to the fourth floor.
At least 50 personnel, 15 fire tenders, a hydraulic ladder, and an advanced robotic machine were deployed to tackle the flames, which resulted in property damage estimated at lakhs of rupees. "We managed to bring the fire under control around 4:30 PM," stated a firefighter involved in the operation.
Officials Highlight Safety Deficiencies
According to official sources, the building lacked a fire safety certificate, exacerbating the challenges. Sudhanshu Sarangi, DG of Fire and Emergency Services, explained that traditional methods were ineffective: "Lakhs of litres of water proved ineffective against the highly flammable plastic and rubber. Foam compounds had to be used to contain the flames."
Sarangi further noted that firefighters struggled to access the blaze due to the absence of windows, doors, and emergency exits. Even heat-resistant suits provided minimal protection against the extreme temperatures, and the robotic monitor deployed inside faltered under the intense heat and smoke.
Impact and Complications
The fire consumed large quantities of household goods, steel utensils, and plastic items, reducing them to ashes. Officials emphasized that the excessive stock of plastic prolonged the burning duration. Additionally, crowds of onlookers complicated the operation by filming videos and obstructing movement. "Fearing structural collapse, we requested police to evacuate the area immediately," Sarangi added.
Located along the busy Bhubaneswar-Puri NH-316 near Sisupalgarh, the fire caused traffic disruptions due to the large congregation of passersby.
Owner's Personal Tragedy
For Subash Chandra Jagati, the owner of the complex, the incident was a devastating blow. He revealed that another shop owned by him in the Unit-1 market area had been gutted in a recent fire. "I am ruined. Goods worth crores have been lost. My complex had fire safety equipment, yet this disaster struck," said an inconsolable Subash, highlighting the personal and financial toll of the tragedy.
