Sonepur, Jan 15: A massive fire broke out late on Wednesday night at an ethanol factory located in Panamura under Tarbha block of Odisha’s Sonepur district, causing extensive damage to the industrial unit and triggering panic in the surrounding area.

According to reports, local residents first noticed the blaze and immediately alerted the authorities. Firefighting teams from the Tarbha Fire Department rushed to the spot and launched operations to douse the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby areas.

Preliminary information suggests that the fire erupted late at night under circumstances that are yet to be ascertained. Within a short time, the flames spread rapidly across the factory premises, engulfing machinery, storage units and other infrastructure. The intensity of the fire reportedly left little scope for salvaging equipment, reducing large parts of the factory to ashes and resulting in heavy losses.

Despite sustained efforts by fire personnel, the factory suffered severe damage. As of the latest update, the fire department has not issued any official statement on the cause of the blaze. The exact extent of the financial loss is also yet to be assessed.

Officials are expected to carry out a detailed investigation to determine whether the fire was caused by a technical malfunction, an electrical short circuit or any other factor. The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety measures at industrial units in the region.

Further details are awaited as authorities continue to assess the situation.