Odisha: Major fire at Puri shopping complex, around 140 tourists rescued; visuals surface

Odisha: Major fire at Puri shopping complex, around 140 tourists rescued; visuals surface

The fire was spotted at around 9 pm on Wednesday at a garment store on the first floor of Laxmi Market Complex on Grand Road, he said.

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Thursday, March 09, 2023, 12:09 PM IST
article-image
Odisha: Major fire at Puri shopping complex, around 140 tourists rescued; visuals surface | ANI

A major fire engulfed a shopping complex in Odisha's Puri district, destroying nearly all 40 stores.

The fire was spotted at around 9 pm on Wednesday at a garment store on the first floor of Laxmi Market Complex on Grand Road, he said.

Twelve firefighters were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the flames.

The firefighters rescued three people who were trapped on the building's roof while they were unconscious, according to the officer.

On two separate floors, the building, which is located near the centuries-old Jagannath temple, also houses a hotel and a bank. Around 140 tourists were safely evacuated from the spot and are under observation

Three firefighters fell ill during rescue op

SK Upadhyay, the director general of fire service, said three personnel engaged in the firefighting operations fell ill in the midst of the heat and the smoke, and had to be taken to the hospital.

He also stated that the flames spread to nearby buildings, "despite best attempts to bring the blaze under control".

Puri Sub-Collector Bhavataran Sahu said, "We are still unable to ascertain the cause of the fire." According to the local police, an electrical short-circuit may have started the fire.

Meanwhile, Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi of the BJP claimed that the district administration has failed to ensure the installation of fire safety systems at the hotels and other establishments in the seaside town.

(With PTI inputs)

RECENT STORIES

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Hosts International Yoga Day Event In Gairsain, Welcomes...

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Hosts International Yoga Day Event In Gairsain, Welcomes...

International Yoga Day 2025: PM Modi Calls For 'Inner Peace As Global Policy', Urges Global...

International Yoga Day 2025: PM Modi Calls For 'Inner Peace As Global Policy', Urges Global...

International Yoga Day 2025: Swami Ramdev Leads Record-Breaking Event With 1 Lakh Participants In...

International Yoga Day 2025: Swami Ramdev Leads Record-Breaking Event With 1 Lakh Participants In...

UP Develops 100+ Yoga Parks Ahead Of International Yoga Day To Promote Year-Round Wellness

UP Develops 100+ Yoga Parks Ahead Of International Yoga Day To Promote Year-Round Wellness

UP Govt Launches 'Hunar Haath' Pilot To Train Youth In Domestic Services; Critics Slam Narrow Focus...

UP Govt Launches 'Hunar Haath' Pilot To Train Youth In Domestic Services; Critics Slam Narrow Focus...