Berhampur: At least 40 rooms of 16 families were reduced to ashes following a fire breakout at Khadala village under Sorada police limits in Ganjam district in the wee hours Friday.
While no casualty was reported in the mishap, valuables worth lakhs of rupees was reduced to ashes. Furniture, important documents, household items and electronics were gutted.
Sources said a fire broke out in the kitchen of a house at Khadala village at about 4 am while everyone was asleep. Before the family members would wake up and douse the flames, it engulfed the adjoining rooms of 16 families in no time.
On being informed, a fire fighting team reached the village and brought the situation under control. However, by the time the flame was tamed, it had already reduced property including paddy crops to ashes.
While the cause of the mishap is yet to be ascertained, the district administration officials reached the spot and distributed relief materials. The loss of property is under assessment, the officials said adding that necessary compensation for the victim families will be provided after the assessment report is submitted to the district collector.
PNN
