Bhubaneswar, Jan. 10 -- An electric vehicle (EV) showroom was gutted in a major fire at Dargadahi in Odisha's Baripada, resulting in extensive damage to battery-operated scooters, an autorickshaw and other valuable property. The incident was reported in the early hours of Saturday, with losses estimated to be worth several lakhs of rupees.

According to reports, the fire was noticed at around 2:30 am when some youths passing through the area observed smoke billowing from beneath the closed shutter of the showroom. They immediately alerted the Fire Department. When fire personnel arrived at the spot and broke open the shutter, the showroom was found to be completely engulfed in flames.

Given the intensity of the blaze, three fire tenders ...