Bhubaneswar, 05 January (H.S.): A massive fire broke out at Chhatrapada village under Narendrapur panchayat in Tihidi block of Odisha’s Bhadrak district, gutting seven thatched houses belonging to four families and leaving them homeless. The incident resulted in the death of nine cattle, which were burnt alive in the blaze, and caused property losses estimated to be worth several lakh rupees.

According to sources, the fire erupted late on Sunday night, though the exact cause is yet to be ascertained. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the thatched houses within minutes before residents could salvage their belongings.

On receiving information, a team from Gadi Fire Services rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control after strenuous efforts, preventing it from spreading to nearby areas.

The affected families suffered heavy losses, including household items, livestock, and other essentials, and have appealed to the administration for immediate relief and assistance. Meanwhile, local authorities have initiated an inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and are assessing the extent of the damage.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda