Over 100 houses gutted in Phulbani

PHULBANI: Over 100 houses were gutted and  livestock killed in the Pradhanpada village under Khajuripada block on Friday noon.Eyewitnesses said fire rose from the house of one Pradeep Pradhan and spread to the adjacent thatched houses. Due to the heat, the fire spread fast and before the fire fighters could reach the spot, all the houses were razed. The fire fighters took four hours to douse the flames, said District Fire Officer Birabhadra Tudu.The office added that since the village is 25 km from Phulbani, it took time for the firemen to reach the spot. Khajuripada BDO Sesadev Mishra, who along with the local tehsildar rushed to the spot, said property worth more than ` 15 lakh has been damaged and around 30 families rendered homeless.   In the evening, they were provided dry food and polythene sheets. Officials said the victims will be provided monetary help immediately.