Bhubaneswar: A massive fire broke out at the fish market near Press Chhak in Cuttack during the early hours of Monday, completely destroying the market and causing extensive damage to nearby establishments, including a branch of Bank of India.
According to reports, the blaze erupted around 2:30 a.m. and rapidly spread through the fish market, warehouses and adjoining structures. Firefighters launched a large-scale operation to contain the flames, facing significant challenges due to dense smoke that engulfed the area.
Multiple fire tenders were pressed into service, while a robotic firefighting vehicle was brought from Bhubaneswar to assist in extinguishing the fire. Fire personnel reportedly used oxygen masks while carrying out rescue and containment operations.
The Bank of India branch located on the upper floor of the affected building sustained substantial damage as the fire spread through the premises. Preliminary findings indicate that an electrical short circuit may have triggered the blaze, while the presence of a nearby paint warehouse is believed to have accelerated its spread.
Traders operating in the market claimed losses exceeding ₹50 lakh, including damage to fish stocks, cash reserves, deep freezers, equipment and other business assets.
Despite the scale of the incident, no casualties or injuries have been reported. Authorities have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage.
The incident has dealt a major blow to local traders and vendors who depend on the market for their livelihoods, with restoration and recovery efforts expected to begin after a detailed assessment by the concerned departments.
-OdishaAge
