Cuttack, March 24: A major fire broke out at the LIC office on Link Road in Cuttack, causing panic in the area. The building was seen engulfed in flames as the blaze spread rapidly.

On receiving information, fire services were immediately alerted, and multiple fire tenders rushed to the spot. Firefighters are continuing efforts to bring the situation under control, but the blaze had not been fully contained at the time of reporting.

Preliminary reports indicate that several important documents inside the office have been reduced to ashes. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, raising questions over the fire safety arrangements in the building, including the availability of firefighting systems.

Meanwhile, people present inside the office were safely evacuated, and some have been shifted to safer locations. Efforts are also underway to recover important documents from the site.

The incident has once again brought focus on fire safety measures in the city, coming soon after the recent fire mishap at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Authorities are likely to probe possible lapses in safety protocols.