A probe began on Sunday into the fire incident that left Minto Court, a British era heritage building here, completely damaged.
The two-storeyed, half-timbered Tudor style — all-wooden frames and shingled eaves —Minto Court building was completely gutted with all records within a few hours on Saturday night. It housed the office of Project Deepak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), an inter-services organisation under the Defence Ministry.
“An inquiry into the incident will be conducted by an SDM (sub-divisional magistrate) within one month,” said Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Malhotra. Minto Court, constructed in the early 1900s, was located in the vicinity of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies housed in the century-old Viceregal lodge. Superintendent of Police DW Negi said a case under Section 436 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered.
This is the second major fire in a heritage building in Shimla in less than a year.
The fire authorities said it was one of the deadliest fires in Shimla since January 28 when a blaze broke out in the 109-year-old Gorton Castle, housing the State’s Audit and Accountant General’s offices, reducing two of its floors to ashes.
The Saturday’s fire burned for more than five hours before the firefighters could bring it under control, said fire official Ml Thakur. It is still unclear how the fire started.