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Bhubaneswar Supermarket Fire Rages for 18+ Hours, Building at Risk of Collapse

A massive fire that broke out in a Bhubaneswar supermarket continues to burn uncontrollably after more than 18 hours. Firefighters face extreme challenges due to the building's design, which includes only a single entry/exit point and no staircases. The intensity of the blaze, fueled by flammable plastic and rubber goods, has caused structural cracks, raising fears of a total collapse. Over 45 personnel with advanced equipment are battling the fire externally after evacuating nearby residents.

Key Points: Bhubaneswar Supermarket Fire Uncontrolled After 18 Hours

  • Fire rages for over 18 hours
  • Building has cracks, risk of collapse
  • 45 personnel, 12 tenders deployed
  • Owner estimates ₹4-5 crore loss
2 min read

Bhubaneswar supermarket blaze: Firefighters struggle to bring fire under control after 18 hours

Major fire engulfs Bhubaneswar supermarket for over 18 hours. Firefighters battle flammable goods, structural cracks, and a single entry point.

"We noticed cracks developing in the building's roof. For safety reasons, we avoided entering the floor - Trilokya Kumar Babu"

Bhubaneswar, Feb 24

In a significant development in Odisha, more than 18 hours after a major fire broke out at a supermarket in the Lingipur area of Bhubaneswar, fire service personnel are still struggling to bring it under control.

The blaze, which started late Monday evening at around 10 pm, quickly engulfed multiple floors of the four-storeyed building, which contained large quantities of highly flammable goods, including plastic and rubber items.

Upon being informed, fire service personnel reached the scene and rescued two mall staff members who were trapped inside. Subsequently, they doused the blaze with water and later with foam.

However, the fire was so severe that the firefighters are still struggling to douse it completely. The fire services department officials told the media persons that the building reportedly has no staircases, and only a single entry and exit point.

Over 45 personnel, 12 fire tenders, robot firefighters, and other advanced firefighting equipment have been deployed to extinguish the blaze. The firemen have been using foam and water to douse the severe blaze that engulfed the building.

Meanwhile, due to the blaze and extreme heat, parts of the building have begun to develop cracks on multiple sides, raising concerns that the entire structure may collapse.

The people gathered near the building, and residents staying in nearby buildings have been evacuated to avoid any eventualities. Fire-fighters fear that it may take much longer to fully control the fire, which has been raging for over 18 hours.

"The mall has four floors (Ground + 3), and we have successfully doused the fire on the ground, first, second, and third floors using foam. However, while attempting to control the blaze on the fourth floor, we noticed cracks developing in the building's roof. For safety reasons, we avoided entering the floor and withdrew our personnel from the building. We are now trying to douse the fire externally through holes created in the building wall on the front and other sides," informed Central Range Fire Officer Trilokya Kumar Babu.

The owner of the mall, Subash Chandra Jagati, claimed that around Rs 4 to 5 crores of goods were destroyed in the building inferno.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Heartbreaking to see such a major fire in our capital. The firefighters are true heroes, battling for over 18 hours! Using robots and advanced equipment is good, but the core issue is building design and safety compliance. Hope this serves as a wake-up call.
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Aman W
Rs 4-5 crore loss is huge for the owner, but thank God no lives were lost. The mall staff were rescued in time. Material things can be replaced, lives cannot. Still, the fire department must explain why it's taking so long. Are our cities prepared for such disasters?
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Robert G
Watching from abroad. The scale is immense. Cracks in the building after 18 hours of firefighting... that's terrifying. It shows how intense the heat must be. Hats off to the bravery of the Odisha Fire Services. The use of foam and creating holes in the wall seems like a smart tactic in a dangerous situation.
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Nisha Z
Plastic and rubber items... no wonder the fire is so severe and creating so much toxic smoke. I hope the residents who were evacuated are being taken care of properly. The environmental impact of this blaze will also be significant. Authorities need to think about these aspects too.
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David E
A respectful criticism: While the firefighters' effort is commendable, an 18+ hour struggle to control a fire in a city points to deeper systemic issues. Is the firefighting infrastructure adequate for rapidly growing cities like Bhubaneswar? This should prompt a major review and upgrade of resources and training protocols.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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