A fire broke out at the first floor of the Rajiv Bhawan here, which houses various important departments and offices like Water Resources, Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority on Saturday.
However, no one was reported injured nor were any office files damaged. But many valuable equipments like a standing AC, a television set, chairs and tables worth lakhs of rupees were damaged.
According to sources, the incident took place in the conference hall of the Water Resources Department at the first floor of the nine-storied building, popularly called Na-Tala. The staffs noticed smoke emanating from the first floor and alerted the Junior Engineer (Electrical) of the Rajiv Bhawan, who called up the Fire Services and police. Electricity supply to the building was snapped as a preventive measure.
Immediately, two fire engines were pressed into service. A police team along with DCP Nitinjeet Singh also rushed to the spot. The fire services had a tough time in controlling the fire as the fire engines could not enter into the premises of the Rajiv Bhawan due to its narrow entrance.
“An electrical short-circuit was suspected to have caused the fire,” said Deputy Fire Officer Manoranjan Bhol.
Water Resources Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said his department would probe the cause of the fire and necessary arrangements would be taken to avoid such a mishap in future.
“We have asked the Fire Services wing to take stock of the situation and do the recommendations for fire safety. After getting their report, we will do the needful, besides widening the main entrance,” said Mohapatra.