A fire broke out at Toshali Bhawan in Satyanagar, Bhubaneswar, on Thursday morning, reportedly due to a short circuit. The blaze originated in the record room and caused damage to official property, including important documents and electronic equipment.
According to initial reports, the fire erupted at around 9:00 am. Fire Services personnel received information about the incident at approximately 10:00 am and rushed to the spot. Teams from the local fire department responded promptly, while personnel from Kharavela Nagar Police Station were also deployed to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
Officials said it took nearly two hours to completely control the blaze. Firefighters remained at the premises even after extinguishing the flames, inspecting the ceiling and adjacent sections to ensure there was no further risk of flare-ups or hidden embers.
A Fire Department official stated that one rack in the record room had caught fire, and the flames were contained swiftly. Preliminary assessment suggests that the incident may have been triggered by a short circuit.
Sources indicated that several documents were gutted in the fire. Computers, laptops, and other electronic equipment stored in the record room were reportedly destroyed. The intense heat also caused glass panes of doors and windows to shatter.
As a precautionary measure, entry into the premises was restricted during the firefighting and inspection process. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
