A massive fire erupted late on Diwali night in Bhubaneswar’s bustling Unit-I Market Building, reducing nearly 25 garment shops to ashes. The blaze, which reportedly originated in a saree shop, rapidly spread through the market, fueled by combustible textiles and dry conditions.
The fire broke out around 11:30 PM, catching shop owners and bystanders by surprise. The market was alive with festive shoppers hours before, as people thronged to pick up last-minute items for the festival. As Diwali firecrackers continued to light up the night, thick plumes of smoke from the market soon alarmed local residents.
Within minutes, five fire tenders were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters battled the flames for five grueling hours, finally bringing the blaze under control around 4:30 AM. While no casualties were reported, early estimates reveal substantial financial losses for the shop owners, many of whom had stocked up for the Diwali and wedding season.
“The fire spread rapidly through the saree shop and to neighboring stores,” said a fire department official on-site. “The market is crowded and full of flammable materials, which made it challenging to control.”
Local authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the fire, including any possible role played by fireworks or electrical malfunctions. Shop owners and residents of the area have called for enhanced fire safety measures to protect the market in the future.
This incident has cast a shadow over Diwali celebrations for the traders and customers of Unit-I Market. Many store owners had pinned hopes on Diwali sales to recover from earlier financial struggles, making this a particularly harsh setback.
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