Two Fire Incidents in Odisha Damage Property, Disrupt Highway Traffic

According to local sources, a forest fire broke out near Baramile forest along National Highway-149 connecting Khamar and Pallahara in Angul district. Heavy smoke rising from the fire surrounded the highway, causing visibility to decrease significantly and vehicles to slow down. Traffic was affected on the busy route for about an hour as drivers tried to navigate the smoke-filled road.

Citizens around claimed that the fire was started deliberately by unidentified people. Due to the effect of dry vegetation, the flames quickly spread to forest areas and roadside greenery.

Local people said that they warned the authorities through the 112 emergency hotline and informed the forest department. However, they claimed that it took some time for response teams to reach the area. When authorities arrived, parts of the forest and surrounding vegetation had already been damaged.

In another incident reported from Balasore district, a fertilizer and medicine shop was completely destroyed in a fire in Sadanandapur village under the jurisdiction of Basta police station.

It was reported that the fire started in the shop during the day and spread rapidly, turning the business and its stocks into ashes. Firefighters who later arrived at the scene managed to control the flames.

While no casualties were reported in either incident, the shop owner is believed to have suffered losses worth several lakhs of rupees. The exact cause of the fire in Balasore is yet to be determined.

The twin events have raised concerns among residents about fire safety and the need for faster emergency response, especially during the dry season when wildfires tend to spread rapidly.