Massive Fire Guts 30 EVs at Konark Showroom, Sparks Safety Concerns
Konark — A devastating fire engulfed the ADMS ebike showroom at Madhipur Chhak on the Konark-Gop road on Wednesday evening, destroying 30 electric vehicles and causing damage estimated at over Rs 50 lakhs.
Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze erupted during the charging of an ebike inside the showroom-cum-service centre. “Flames shot out from the charging point without warning,” said a local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident.
The fire rapidly consumed 25 brand-new electric bikes awaiting delivery and five others in for servicing.
Firefighters from Champahara Fire Station arrived 30 minutes later and battled the lithium battery-fueled inferno for over an hour.
“No lives were lost, but the intensity of the fire was amplified by the lithium batteries,” said a senior fire official.
Showroom owner Shibabrata Swain has filed an FIR at Konark Police Station. Preliminary investigations suggest faulty wiring or overloaded charging equipment as the likely cause.
The incident has reignited concerns over fire safety protocols in EV storage and service facilities, especially in tourist-heavy zones like Konark.
