OD-BANK-FIRE

Fire broke out at

a nationalised bank at Pailipada in Ganjam district on

Thursday.

Preliminary inquiry showed at least three computers,

cash counter and some documents at the Bank of India's branch

were destroyed in the fire which broke out in the general

room, the police said.

Bank personnel were not present when the fire erupted.

The exact loss could be ascertained after thorough

assessment, they said.

Local people spotted smoke billowing out of the

building and informed the police and fire officials.

Fire service personnel from Bhanjanagara rushed to the

spot after getting a call from the Inspector In-Charge of

Gangapur police station, Ramakanta Mahallick.

"It took around three hours to control the flame,"

said Station Officer of Bhanjanagara Fire Station, Jitendra

Mallick.

The exact cause of the fire was yet to be

ascertained though it is suspected to have been triggered

by an electric short circuit, he said.