Moodigere: A sudden fire broke out in a building housing Canara Bank and a finance office in Megalapete, Moodigere, late on Tuesday, December 24.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the finance office and posed a significant threat to nearby offices and residences.

The fire was first noticed around 11 PM, with residents reporting smoke and unusual noises from the building.

Fire brigade from Moodigere, along with additional teams from Chikkamagaluru, worked through the night and successfully extinguished the fire by 3 AM.

As a precautionary measure, power supply to the entire town was temporarily suspended.

While documents and equipment in the finance office were destroyed, the bank’s locker, containing cash and valuables, was secured.

Families residing in the building, including a doctor and their family living upstairs, were evacuated safely.The building is owned by Shivaprakash, also housed several offices and residences.

Though the exact cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, it is suspected to be a result of an electrical short circuit or an overheated UPS.

Timely intervention by locals and firefighters prevented a larger disaster. Authorities are assessing the damage, and further investigations are underway.