A devastating fire broke out at the State Bank of India (SBI) Lathikata branch, located near Rourkela city in Odisha, on Wednesday evening. The fire started around 7 pm and quickly spread throughout the bank, engulfing several rooms. The inferno destroyed various computers, important documents, and furniture, causing significant damage to the bank’s property. Fortunately, no casualties were reported during the incident.
The fire was first noticed by locals who saw smoke emerging from the bank in the evening. They immediately raised an alarm, alerting the authorities to the emergency situation. The Fire Brigade responded promptly, dispatching two fire engines to the scene. The firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control, eventually managing to douse the flames after a grueling two-hour effort.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short-circuit. However, the exact cause of the fire will be determined after a thorough investigation. The bank’s manager has announced that an assessment of the damage to the strong room and the currency notes stored within will be conducted on the following day.
The strong room, which is designed to be a secure and fire-resistant area, is believed to have suffered damage in the fire. The bank’s officials will carefully evaluate the extent of the damage and take necessary steps to restore the affected areas. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of the bank’s infrastructure and the need for regular maintenance and inspections to prevent such incidents in the future.
The SBI Lathikata branch will likely remain closed until the damage is fully assessed and repairs are carried out. The bank’s customers may face temporary disruptions to their services, but the bank’s management is expected to make arrangements to minimize the inconvenience. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be conducted, and measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.