Bhubaneswar, Dec. 8 -- A major fire broke out at the municipal fruit market near the District Collector's office in Bolangir on Monday, reducing more than 50 fruit shops to ashes. Witnesses described the blaze as intense, with flames engulfing shop after shop in the bustling marketplace. The incident has caused widespread panic among local traders and residents who rushed out in shock as the fire spread rapidly.

Around 80 fruit shops stood in the market, of which approximately 60 have been completely destroyed. Traders reported that fruits worth lakhs were lost in the devastating blaze. Many stalls, stocked with seasonal produce, were left charred and unrecognisable. According to eyewitnesses, the entire area resembled a burning heap wit...