Bhadrak: At least five houses of two families were reduced to ashes in a blaze which took place at Muan village under Chandbali block of Bhadrak district last night.
Sparks erupted at one Sarbeswar Mallick’s house late in the night while all in his family were asleep. Till they came to know about the fire and woke up, it had spread to another Pitambar Mallick’s house in the neighbourhood.
While fire villagers launched firefighting efforts on their own and called up fire officials later in the night, properties worth lakhs including furniture, utensils and paddy crops had been completely gutted till then.
Dhamnagar fire brigade teams doused the flames late in the night.
An electric short circuit is being suspected behind the incident.
Ms Kalinga