A fire incident late Sunday night near the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri triggered concern among devotees and local residents. The blaze occurred in the busy Bada Danda area, approximately 100 metres from the temple premises.
According to sources, the fire originated in an electrical transformer while temple rituals were underway and devotees were standing in queues for darshan. Eyewitnesses reported that the transformer remained engulfed in flames for over an hour, with thick smoke visible in the vicinity.
Upon receiving information, fire services personnel rushed to the scene and managed to douse the flames, preventing the fire from spreading to nearby shops and establishments along Bada Danda, one of the most crowded stretches in Puri.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed. While officials have ruled out any immediate signs of foul play, preliminary speculation suggests that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain the cause.
The incident has once again highlighted safety concerns in and around the temple area, particularly along the heavily frequented Bada Danda. Devotees and local residents have urged the administration to strengthen fire safety protocols and conduct regular inspections of electrical transformers and installations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
