Bhubaneswar, July 18 — Panic gripped students and staff at a private engineering college in Jagamara on Friday when a sudden fire erupted, reportedly triggered by an AC compressor explosion in the auditorium.
The flames quickly engulfed the second floor, prompting a swift rescue operation by Fire and Emergency Services.
According to Fire Services DG Umashankar Das, the blaze was brought under control within hours.
Around 65 students trapped on the third floor—most attending a development training session—were safely evacuated. One student was hospitalised for breathing complications due to smoke inhalation.
Eyewitnesses confirmed the deployment of 10–12 ambulances and three fire brigade vehicles.
Despite initial denial by college authorities, student testimonies and visual evidence validated the incident.
Concerns are now mounting over campus safety protocols, especially as reports indicate a similar fire occurred earlier in a different building of the same institution.
