Properties worth over Rs one crore were stated to be gutted when a major fire broke out in a tyre resoling factory in the Jagatpur industrial area, 15 km from here on Thursday morning. At least four godowns of the factory packed with rubber and other highly inflammable materials were completely damaged in the inferno that took nearly six hours for eight fire tenders to bring under control.
Fire brigade officials said since the fire broke out early in the morning, there was no worker inside it when the mishap occurred. Two fire brigade personnel however sustained minor injuries while dousing the flame, sources said. “The factory had no fire control measure in place and the cause of the fire is believed to be electric short-circuit,” said Chief Fire Officer of Cuttack RK Sethy.
Eyewitnesses said they saw smoke coming out of the factory around 7 in the morning. Soon, the fire engulfed the adjacent godowns of the factory spreading panic among the nearby inhabitants as columns of black smoke covered the industrial area skyline.Initially, three fire tenders were pressed into operation and five more joined them to completely douse the flame around 1 in the afternoon, Sethy said, adding that at least 240 fire brigade personnel were on the job.