Bhubaneswar, Dec. 7: A major fire broke out in a plastic manufacturing unit at Khurda Industrial Estate, 25km from here. Though a dozen fire tenders were pressed into service, the fire could not be put out by this evening.

Police said no casualties had been reported.

The fire broke out at the Siva Shankar Trading Ltd, which is one among the largest producers of disposable plastic items used in social events in the state. Sources said property worth more than Rs 1 crore were gutted in the fire, which started around 10.15am.

Fire officials said the fire might have broken out during an attempt to destroy a beehive.

'The fire began in the top floor of the four-storey unit,' said assistant fire officer of Khurda, D.K. Swain.

A few employees spotted smoke billowing out of the factory. 'I spotted smoke billowing out of the factory. Within moments, the fire spread and we informed the factory officials,' said an employee of the unit.

Fire officials said no casualties had been reported from the spot.

'Sixty fire personnel, along with five senior officers, have been deployed at the spot to douse the fire,' said Swain.

Around 30 employees were working at the factory when the fire broke out.

Akash Agarwal, son of Mira Devi of Cuttack, the proprietor of the unit, said the fire caused extensive loss to the unit.

'We have set up the factory at a cost of around Rs 8 crore, which includes a Rs 5 crore loan. The factory started its operations eight months ago,' said Akash.