Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Apr 24: 

A major fire that broke out in Belda village near Odisha's Choudwar last night turned over 50 houses into ashes.

vanivihar slum fire

Even though the damage to the property was extensive, no loss of life has been reported.

Fire Department personnel were pressed into service; however, it took more than two hours to contain the fire.

According to a villager, the fire started from a thatched house in the evening and spread to the entire village within a short span aided by a gas cylinder blast in another house.

Cuttack Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra visited the village to take stock of the situation and has announced relief for three days for the victims.