Over 30 Shops Destroyed in Massive Fire at Cuttack Fish Market

More than 30 shops were destroyed in a major fire that swept through a fish market near Press Chhak in Odisha's Cuttack city in the early hours of Monday, officials said. No casualties have been reported , though the blaze caused extensive property damage and affected nearby structures, including a bank building.

According to local traders, the fire broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am in one of the shops before rapidly spreading through the crowded market. The closely packed nature of the establishments allowed the flames to engulf large sections of the market within a short span of time.

Upon receiving information about the incident, fire and emergency services rushed to the spot. Nearly eight fire tenders were deployed to contain the blaze, which was eventually brought under control after several hours of firefighting efforts.

"We received information about the fire around 3 am and reached the spot immediately. The fish market and a nearby building have been affected. The blaze has now been brought under control," Deputy Fire Officer Abani Kumar Swain told reporters.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Officials said the exact reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained .

The fire has left dozens of traders facing significant financial losses , with stocks, equipment and infrastructure reduced to ashes. An assessment of the damage is underway.

The incident once again highlights recurring concerns over fire safety preparedness and infrastructure vulnerabilities in traditional markets , where narrow passages, ageing electrical systems and densely packed shops can accelerate the spread of fires. Similar incidents in crowded commercial hubs across the country have repeatedly raised questions about compliance with fire safety norms , emergency access for firefighting vehicles and the need for regular safety audits .

As authorities investigate the cause of the blaze, local traders are expected to seek compensation and stronger preventive measures to reduce the risk of such disasters in the future.