Smoke engulfs large parts of Raipur as fire rages in power substation

Raipur fire today: Fire engines and water tankers from Raipur city as well as nearby districts called in to douse the inferno; officials say operations could last a few more hours

Raipur fire: According to an electricity board official, the fire broke out around 1.45 pm in the Chhattisgarh electricity board's sub-station premises in Gudhiyari area. (Express photo)

A fire broke out at an area used to store transformers in the Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Friday afternoon, police said, adding that there are no casualties but expensive equipment has been burnt. As smoke from the blaze spread to a few kilometers around the city, hundreds had to be evacuated from the locality.

According to an electricity board official, the fire broke out around 1.45 pm in the Chhattisgarh electricity board’s sub-station premises in Gudhiyari area.

Watch | A massive fire broke out in a power distribution company in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district, forcing residents in the area to vacate their homes. Fire engines and water tankers were pressed into service to douse the flames. pic.twitter.com/vEhkMYIlL3

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) April 5, 2024

Prima facie, police believe the fire broke out due to a suspected short-circuit and spread in the area where transformers worth crores are stored. “These transformers are made in another state and stored in Raipur before being moved out to other cities,” said the official.

“The place where the fire took place is used to store other materials too, such as oil and rubber,” the official said.

#WATCH | People vacate their homes located near the power distribution company after a massive fire broke out in it in Raipur’s Kota area; police and firefighters present on the spot.#Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/yxLXzUOURU

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2024

Fire engines and water tankers from Raipur city as well as nearby districts such as Durg, Baloda Bazar and Bhilai were called in to douse the inferno. Around 6.15 pm, firefighters said it could take another two hours to put out the fire.

As a preventive measure, electricity has been cut off in surrounding localities. Apart from water, foam is being used to douse the fire as it is more effective on electrical equipment, officials said. The foam tankers were called in from the airport, Bhilai steel plant, Bilaspur, Durg and other industrial sectors.

A senior police official said they were initially contemplating using Air Force services to drop water but decided later that the need would not arise.

As firefighting continued after sunset, senior officials remained at the spot. These include the fire chief, Superintendent of Police and municipal commissioner.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

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