A short-circuit is suspected to have started the fire at a market in Odisha's Rourkela
A person was killed and three others were injured when a fire broke out at a market in Odisha's Rourkela city early in the morning today. Police said the fire started at a shop that had stocked up a large quantity of firecrackers anticipating a rush of Diwali shoppers.
A short-circuit in the shop is likely to have started the fire in the town about 340 kilometres from state capital Bhubaneswar, police said.
A group of firefighters have completely doused the blaze now. The three injured people have been taken to a hospital, police said, adding more details about the cause of the fire will be available after investigation.
The shop in Rourkela had stocked up firecrackers anticipating high demand during Diwali
The authorities have cautioned firecracker sellers from following unsafe practices while stocking up the highly flammable material, especially during major festivals like Diwali.
In the national capital, the Supreme Court has banned sale of firecrackers in a bid to control runaway air pollution.