Transformer Blaze on Puri Bada Danda Contained After Hour‑Long Battle
Puri: Panic gripped devotees near the Sri Jagannath Temple late Sunday night after a transformer on the busy Bada Danda caught fire. The incident occurred barely 100 metres from the temple premises, where large crowds had gathered for darshan.
Fire services rushed to the spot and battled the flames for over an hour before bringing the situation under control. Thanks to their swift response, the blaze did not spread to nearby shops or structures, averting a potential disaster.
No casualties have been reported. Preliminary assessments suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though officials are still investigating the exact cause.
The incident has reignited concerns over fire safety in the temple zone, with calls for regular inspections of electrical infrastructure and stronger emergency preparedness measures to protect one of Odisha’s most revered religious sites.
