Screen - I of one of the oldest cinema halls in Ranchi was gutted into fire early in the morning on Friday. The Cinema hall was under renovation to get it converted into a multiplex, which was likely to be inaugurated next month.

“Prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out in the projector room due to electrical short circuit early in the morning. It was seen later when the entire screen - I, including decoration and sitting enclosures were gutted in fire,” said State Fire Officer RK Thakur. Other part of the hall, however, was saved by the firemen without a single damage to the entire hall, he added.    

The fire was so intense that the people living in nearby areas left their homes and went to safer places, added Thakur.

As many as three fire tenders were roped in to control the fire involving more than 15 firemen that took more than two hours to extinguish it. Hindpiri and Chutia Police Stations are investigating the cause of the fire. Exact reasons for the fire are yet to be identified. 

Incidentally, the cinema hall was being given final touch of its renovation which was to be inaugurated next month. Almost the entire Screen I was gutted into fire while Screen II was saved by the firemen who reached there on time.

Eyewitnesses said that the locals saw the intense smoke over the Cinema Hall at around 7:30 and called the firemen. When the firemen reached there, the entire woodwork and decoration including sitting enclosures had been gutted into fire. Intenseness of fire could be gauged as three fire tenders were used to control the fire.