Bhubaneswar, Jan 20: A massive fire broke out late Monday night at Unit-1 Market in Bhubaneswar, destroying more than 40 shops and causing extensive property damage. While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, officials are investigating the incident.

According to sources, the blaze began around 1:45 am at an idol shop near the Capital Police Station. The fire quickly spread to a nearby parked scooter and rapidly engulfed several adjacent shops. The situation escalated further when LPG cylinders stored inside some of the shops exploded, intensifying the flames. The presence of plastic goods in nearby stores also contributed to the spread of the fire, complicating firefighting efforts.

In response to the inferno, 13 fire tenders, along with robotic monitors and a specialized fire force team, were deployed. A total of nearly 70 fire service personnel and 10 fire officers worked tirelessly for nearly three hours to bring the fire under control. Thankfully, the blaze did not spread further, as a parking area behind the affected shops served as a natural barrier.

Fortunately, no casualties were reported. An investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the fire.