On the morning of Friday, July 18, 2025, panic spread through a private engineering college in Bhubaneswar’s Jagamara area when a sudden fire broke out on the second floor of the campus building. The flames originated in the college auditorium, suspected to be triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air-conditioning unit.
At the time of the incident, 65 students and several staff members were present in the building. As thick black smoke began to fill the upper floors, chaos ensued. However, the quick reaction of college authorities and firefighters ensured the situation was brought under control with no loss of life.
Cause of the Fire:
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Odisha Fire Department suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit. The incident began around 11:54 AM, when smoke was first detected coming from the second-floor auditorium.
Several eyewitnesses reported hearing a sudden loud spark, followed by flames erupting near the air-conditioning unit. Fire quickly engulfed the auditorium curtains, stage area, and parts of the wooden interiors, creating heavy smoke which began spreading upwards toward the third floor.
Firefighting and Rescue Operation:
Upon receiving distress calls, four fire tenders from the nearest fire stations reached the scene within minutes. The college security team had already initiated an emergency evacuation protocol, which was significantly helpful in minimizing confusion and panic.
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65 students and faculty members were trapped on the upper floors as thick smoke blocked staircases.
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Firefighters used ladders, hydraulic lifts, and breathing apparatuses to rescue individuals from windows and balconies.
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10 ambulances were stationed at the premises to provide immediate medical aid.
One female student who suffered from smoke inhalation was taken to the nearby Capital Hospital and later declared out of danger. Several others complained of minor breathing difficulties but did not require hospitalization.
Immediate Response from Authorities:
The college management expressed deep gratitude to the fire personnel and medical teams for their swift action. The building was promptly vacated, and classes were suspended for the rest of the day.
Odisha Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi commended the response time and coordination among fire and medical teams. “Had the rescue been delayed by even 10 minutes, this could have been a mass casualty situation,” he stated in a press briefing.
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has since issued notices to the college for a detailed audit of its fire safety systems, including alarms, extinguishers, evacuation signage, and electrical wiring.
Safety Violations and Fire Audit:
Preliminary reports indicate lapses in the building’s fire safety preparedness, including:
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No active fire alarm or smoke detector systems were functioning during the fire.
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Fire extinguishers were outdated, and some were found empty.
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Emergency exits were blocked or difficult to access.
A comprehensive fire audit has been ordered, and the Directorate of Technical Education and Training (DTET) is reviewing safety compliance across all private engineering colleges in Odisha.
Student and Public Reaction:
Students rescued from the scene recounted terrifying moments of being trapped in smoke-filled rooms. “We were coughing and couldn’t see clearly… all we could hear were the firemen shouting instructions,” said a third-year engineering student.
Parents rushed to the site upon hearing of the fire and demanded an explanation from the administration. Many have since called for stricter enforcement of fire safety laws and regular drills in educational institutions.
Social media platforms were flooded with videos of the rescue operation, with many praising the firemen’s bravery and professionalism.
Conclusion:
The Bhubaneswar engineering college fire serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fire safety compliance in public institutions, especially educational facilities. While no lives were lost, the incident exposed serious gaps in preventive infrastructure that could have led to a tragedy.
Thanks to prompt coordination between the college staff and fire services, 65 lives were saved. The Odisha government has promised a statewide fire safety review, especially in schools, colleges, and coaching centers.
This incident should push authorities and educational institutions alike to:
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Conduct mandatory quarterly fire drills.
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Ensure updated and functional fire safety equipment.
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Implement regular electrical audits and infrastructure upgrades.
A minor oversight nearly turned into a disaster—but swift action turned the tide and made this a story of rescue and recovery rather than one of loss.
