Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Sulochana Das has blamed vendors for the massive fire that gutted the Unit-1 Market complex, citing repeated violations of fire safety norms. The market will remain shut for a day, with possible extension.
Meanwhile, the BMC has decided to shut down Unit-1 Market for a day following the fire mishap. Mayor announced that the closure may be extended if necessary.
Talking to media, BMC Mayor said, “Vendors have consistently ignored BMC’s appeals to avoid storing inflammable materials and using plastic sheets for shop extensions. Despite repeated requests, vendors did not pay heed to our warnings. The financial damage is extensive, but fortunately, no lives were lost as the fire broke out at night and no one was sleeping inside the shops.”
She, further, added saying that an investigation will determine the exact cause of the fire.
The Mayor noted that fire incidents are recurring at the market due to overcrowding and unsafe practices. “Vendors must replace plastic sheets with tin roofing. We urge shop owners to comply with regulations,” she maintained.
According to reports, the fire broke out at Unit-1 Market around 2 am, engulfing approximately 50 shops. The blaze was finally brought under control after a 3-hour effort by 13 fire tenders.
Over 70 firefighters, led by senior fire officials, and two units of the Striking Fire Force were deployed for rescue operations and to douse the flames. The fire was doused using chemical foam compound, fire proximity suits, JCB machines, and robotic monitors, which played a key role.
It is learnt that property worth Rs 1 crore was destroyed in the blaze.
