A fire broke out at a Mina Bazaar in Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district on Tuesday night after a suspected short circuit set a large swing ablaze, triggering panic among hundreds of visitors attending the ongoing Thakurani Yatra.
The incident occurred during the popular festival, which is held once every three years and has been underway for the past ten days. A temporary fairground and Mina Bazaar had been set up as part of the celebrations, attracting large crowds of devotees, families and visitors.
Fire Breaks Out Amid Heavy Crowd
According to preliminary reports, hundreds of people were present at the fair when the electrical fault occurred.
At the time of the incident, many visitors were enjoying amusement rides when a sudden short circuit reportedly ignited one of the large swings. The fire was followed by a complete power outage, plunging the area into darkness and creating chaos at the crowded venue.
As flames rose from the ride, panic spread quickly, prompting people to rush out of the fairground in an attempt to reach safety.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden blackout and smoke added to the confusion, with several families and children scrambling to move away from the affected section of the bazaar.
Quick Response Prevents Major Mishap
Police from Bhanjanagar Police and personnel from the local fire services department rushed to the spot soon after receiving information about the incident.
Firefighters immediately launched containment operations and managed to bring the blaze under control before it could spread to nearby stalls, electrical installations or other amusement rides.
Officials said the swift response helped avert a larger disaster.
Despite the panic and heavy crowd, no casualties have been reported, and hundreds of people narrowly escaped without injury.
Questions Raised Over Safety Measures
Following the incident, allegations have surfaced over possible safety lapses in the temporary fair arrangements.
Local residents have claimed that the Mina Bazaar may have been set up without formal approval from the district administration.
According to local allegations, permission from the district collector was reportedly not obtained before the installation of the fair structures, even though the event was being organised in connection with the historically significant Thakurani Yatra.
Questions have also been raised over the electrical setup.
Sources said the electrical installations were allegedly carried out using temporary wiring arrangements. There are also claims that the power setup lacked formal approval and may not have met required safety standards.
Locals have accused the organisers of negligence, alleging that unsafe electrical arrangements put hundreds of visitors at risk.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether there were any violations of safety norms or permission requirements.
Officials are expected to examine the electrical connections, approval process and responsibility of the organisers in connection with the incident.
The fire has renewed concerns over safety management at temporary fairs and festival venues, especially during large religious gatherings where thousands of people gather in confined spaces.
