The Aryavarth Express
Bhubaneswar (Odisha): A major fire broke out on the terrace bar of a hotel in the Satya Vihar area on Monday morning. The blaze was first reported around 9 a.m., prompting the fire department to dispatch seven fire tenders after the initial team found the flames rapidly intensifying.
Deputy Fire Officer (DFO) Narayana Dash said that four teams—comprising nearly 30 personnel—were deployed to bring the situation under control. “The open bar shed has been completely damaged, and an adjacent room has suffered partial damage. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the incident occurred early in the morning before operations had begun,” he said. Dash added that a short circuit is suspected to have triggered the fire.
When questioned about the hotel’s compliance with safety norms, the DFO noted that the establishment likely had only a single fire extinguisher and may not have possessed a valid fire safety certificate. An inquiry into violations of fire safety rules is expected.
Assistant Fire Officer (AFO) Manoranjan Rout explained that by the time teams reached the site, the staircase leading to the terrace bar was filled with smoke, necessitating the deployment of four fire teams to fully extinguish the blaze.
The incident has reignited concerns over fire safety in commercial establishments, especially in the aftermath of the recent Goa tragedy, where 25 people died in a restaurant-bar fire. Both the DFO and AFO confirmed that authorities have instructed them to intensify inspections across hotels, bars, and restaurants.
“If any establishment lacks adequate fire safety measures, we will first instruct them to comply with all required norms. In cases of non-compliance, action will be taken as per department rules,” said the DFO.
Officials also stated that notices and detailed safety checklists will soon be issued to commercial establishments to ensure strict adherence to fire safety regulations.
