Berhampur: As many as 16 people rendered homeless after 20 rooms of their houses were gutted in a fire mishap Friday night at Badakhairakhama village under Beguniapada block in Ganjam district.
According to reports, fire broke out at a house and it rapidly engulfed other nearby houses. Properties worth lakhs of rupees including furniture were completely reduced to ashes.
On being informed, fire service personnel rushed to the spot and doused the flames.
It is suspected that the fire was due to an electrical short circuit.
The affected persons are being provided clothes and food by tehsildar and other block-level authorities, it was learnt.