India, Sept. 14 -- A major fire broke out at a Ganesh Puja pandal in the Deheripali area under Ainthapali police station in Odisha's Sambalpur city on Monday evening.

The incident took place at around 8.20 pm at the Ganesh Puja pandal set up by the Deheripali Puja Committee. The committee had organised the festival on a grand scale, spending a considerable amount of money on the decorations and celebrations.

The puja rituals had concluded in the afternoon. However, at around 8.20 pm, committee members noticed flames coming from the pandal and immediately informed the Fire Services Department.

A fire tender rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control. However, by the time firefighters arrived, the main pandal had already bee...