The incident took place in a busy commercial stretch, sparking panic among nearby traders and customers. People used sand, water and buckets to contain the flames, yet the heat and smoke forced them to step back. Witnesses said the fire brigade took nearly two hours to arrive from Rajdhanwar, by which time both shops had already burned down.

Shopkeepers estimated a financial loss of around ₹5 lakh, including stored goods, furniture and daily earnings. Many raised concerns about the lack of firefighting infrastructure in the region and demanded a permanent fire station in Bagodar.

Residents also urged authorities to conduct awareness drives on electrical safety, emergency reporting and timely fire management. Traders plan to meet officials this week to seek compensation and preventive measures.

While no injuries were reported, the tragedy exposed serious gaps in rapid-response systems, leaving locals anxious about future safety.

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