CUTTACK: Property worth over Rs 40 lakh was gutted after a major fire broke out at the fish market near Press Chhak in Cuttack in the wee hours of Monday.
A branch of the Bank of India (BOI) located in a G+2 building adjacent to the fish market also suffered extensive damage as the blaze spread to it. Such was the intensity of the flames that it took seven firefighting vehicles almost nine hours to extinguish the blaze. However, no injury or casualty was reported in the incident.
As per reports, the fish market comprised 34 shops including 17 thatched and 15 asbestos units. The blaze erupted at around 2 am and quickly spread to the adjacent G+2 building which housed a paint shop on the ground floor, the BOI branch office on the first floor and a store room on the second.
Fire Services officials suspect the chemicals stored inside the paint shop added fuel to the blaze. Also, lack of access to the roof made firefighting operations more challenging. This apart, the affected building had a single access route which combined with dense smoke and the intense heat from the flames made it difficult for the firefighters to enter certain sections of the building to contain the blaze.
Assistant fire officer (AFO) Prasant Kumar Dhal said they received a call regarding the incident at around 2.28 am following which two teams from Chauliaganj fire station rushed to the spot. However, keeping in view the intensity of the blaze, two more fire engines were mobilised.
“One unit from the Bidanasi fire station and two units from the Striking Fire Force also rushed to the spot to aid in the firefighting operations. As heavy smoke was emanating from the ground floor of the G+2 building, three advanced appliances - articulated water monitor, hydraulic platform and robotic monitor were also engaged to contain the flames,” Dhal said.
As the building had insufficient exits, a portion of the side wall of the facility had to be broken to facilitate the firefighting operations. The district administration deputed two JCB machines for the purpose, he added.
“Around 20 fish stalls were completely reduced to ashes. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and the assessment of damage to property is also in progress,” the fire officer informed.
BOI officials said a few computers, some documents and furniture were gutted. However, all customers’ data and cash were unaffected.