Bhubaneswar: A massive fire broke out at the bustling Unit-1 Market in Bhubaneswar late on Monday night, reducing more than 40 shops to ashes and causing extensive damage to property. Fire officials said the exact cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained, while an investigation has been initiated to determine the circumstances that led to the incident.
According to preliminary information, the fire erupted at around 1:45 am at an idol shop located near the Capital Police Station. Within minutes, the flames spread to a nearby parked scooter and rapidly engulfed several adjoining shops in the congested market area. The situation deteriorated further after LPG cylinders stored inside some of the shops exploded, triggering intense flames and loud blasts that created panic among nearby residents.
The presence of highly inflammable materials, including plastic goods stocked in several shops, significantly fuelled the fire, making firefighting operations extremely challenging. Thick smoke and rising flames could be seen from a considerable distance, prompting an immediate emergency response.
To bring the inferno under control, as many as 13 fire tenders were rushed to the spot along with robotic fire monitors and a special striking fire force team. Nearly 70 fire service personnel and 10 fire officers were deployed in the large-scale operation. Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly three hours before finally managing to douse the flames and prevent it from spreading further.
Fire officials said the damage could have been far more severe had the fire spread beyond the market complex. Fortunately, a parking area located behind the affected row of shops acted as a natural barrier, preventing the flames from reaching nearby residential and commercial structures. No casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.
However, the fire left several traders devastated, with years of livelihood destroyed overnight. “My shop has been reduced to ashes. I have no insurance. Everything is gone,” said one distressed shopkeeper. Another trader, who claimed to have been running his business at the market for over four decades, said property worth nearly ₹3 lakh was destroyed. “I had closed my shop around 10 pm and went home. At about 1:30 am, I received a call informing me about the fire and rushed to the spot,” he said.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Chanchal Rana said that around 40 shops, including vending carts, were completely destroyed in the fire. He also pointed out that despite repeated instructions not to sell plastic items, some traders continued the practice, which may have contributed to the intensity of the blaze.
“To assess the losses, our emergency response teams and two teams from the tehsils have been deployed at the site. The government will provide necessary assistance to the affected shopkeepers as per norms,” Rana said.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and begun a detailed assessment of the damage. The fire department and local administration are also examining possible safety lapses, including the storage of LPG cylinders and inflammable materials in the market area. The incident has once again raised concerns over fire safety compliance in crowded commercial hubs of the city.
