Balasore, April 3: A powerful explosion inside a municipal drain in Podhuapada’s Pragatinagar Colony under Balasore Municipality on Friday triggered panic among residents in the area.

According to initial reports, the blast was so intense that flames shot up nearly six feet into the air. The impact damaged the drain structure over a stretch of around 100 metres, cracking walls and shattering nearby cement slabs. Water pipelines at multiple locations were also reportedly affected by the fire.

Locals, alarmed by the sudden explosion, immediately alerted the fire services. Fire personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, preliminary findings suggest that cooking on a wooden stove above the drain may have been a factor. Additionally, officials suspect that chemical waste discharge from a nearby facility into the drain could have contributed to the incident.

A detailed investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion.