A massive fire broke out late at night in a wholesale grocery shop and warehouse belonging to Deepal Traders in Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh, causing an estimated loss of around ₹5 crore. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Kotwali police station area and quickly escalated into a major emergency situation.

According to initial reports, the fire started around 9:30 pm in the shop located on Lavan Road. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire store and later reaching the adjoining warehouse. The intensity of the fire was so high that flames and smoke were visible from a considerable distance, creating panic in the surrounding area.

Local residents were the first to notice the fire and immediately informed the fire brigade. As the situation worsened, additional fire tenders were called in from Balodabazar, Simga, and nearby regions. In total, five fire brigade vehicles were deployed to control the blaze.

Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the intensity of the flames and the presence of large quantities of combustible goods stored inside the warehouse. After several hours of continuous effort, the fire was finally brought under control. However, by that time, most of the stock had already been reduced to ashes.

The warehouse contained a large inventory of grocery items including grains, salt, spices, edible oil, ghee, sugar, biscuits, and packaged snacks. All these goods were completely destroyed in the fire, leaving the business owner with a massive financial setback.

Preliminary assessment suggests that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the electrical system. However, officials have stated that a detailed investigation is being conducted to determine the exact cause of the incident. A forensic team has also been deployed to examine the site and collect evidence.

Police reached the location soon after receiving information and initiated an investigation. Authorities are currently documenting the extent of the damage and assessing the total loss. Early estimates indicate that the destruction of inventory alone amounts to nearly ₹5 crore.

The owner of Deepal Traders confirmed the scale of the loss, stating that the entire stock stored in both the shop and warehouse was destroyed within a short span of time. He expressed concern over the financial impact and the challenge of rebuilding the business after such a devastating incident.

Officials from the administration have also begun evaluating possible relief measures and support options. Meanwhile, fire safety experts have once again highlighted the importance of regular electrical inspections and fire prevention systems in commercial storage facilities.

The incident has raised concerns among local traders, many of whom fear similar risks due to dense commercial setups and limited fire safety infrastructure in some parts of the region.