BHUBANESWAR: A massive fire broke out at a four-storey market in Bhubaneswar’s Lingipur area on Monday night and continued for more than 12 hours. The intense heat reportedly caused cracks in the building, forcing firefighters to drill large holes and break portions of the structure to release smoke.The incident occured at around 10.30 pm. No casualties or injuries were reported, but the blaze spread rapidly from the third floor due to highly combustible materials, particularly large stocks of plastic and rubber. Around 40 fire tenders and an advanced robotic machine were deployed to battle the flames, which destroyed property worth several lakhs of rupees.Officials said the operation was very difficult because of thick smoke, repeated flare-ups, and the market’s enclosed layout, which had few windows and poor ventilation.“Foam compounds were used to douse the flames, as water proved ineffective against the highly flammable plastic and rubber stored on the upper floors,” said Sudhanshu Sarangi, DG of Fire and Emergency Services.The robotic monitor was sent inside to suppress the fire from within but struggled against the extreme heat and dense smoke. Large quantities of plastic, steel utensils, and household goods were reduced to ashes, with fire department sources noting that the excessive stock of plastic items prolonged the burning.“The fourth floor contained significant amounts of rubber and plastic, making foam compounds essential to control the blaze. We also faced major challenges in accessing the building, which lacked adequate windows and exit points,” Sarangi added.
