Sambalpur: A huge fire broke out in a coal tar pitch factory at Jayantpur area under Sadar police limits in Sambalpur district late Saturday night.
While there was no loss of life, the blaze caused a substantial damage to materials worth lakhs reducing them to ashes.
Huge flames and thick smoke billowing from the spot triggered panic among nearby people. They were seen taking precautions to save lives and properties.
On being informed, three fire tenders reached the spot and launched an operation to douse the flames. It took them several hours to contain it.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be known, the police and fire department officials are on the job to find out the cause.
Locals said that seven fire mishaps have so far taken place in the same factory. This suggests carelessness and lack of fire fighting measures in that place, they added.
PNN