Top police, fire and electric department officials were on their toes as a fire broke out in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s chamber in the State Assembly on Wednesday.
The CM was not in the room as he was yet to return from Delhi in the day.
The fire was caused by an electric short circuit emanating from a digital wall watch. The watch and a wall-mounted lED TV and its setup box were fully damaged. Though the chamber was fully filled with smoke, no other furniture was damaged.
A fire brigade was put into service to douse the flame.
DGP KB Singh, CP YB Khurania and top General Electricity Department (GED) and Fire officers rushed to the chamber to take stock of the situation.
The DGP said, “It was a minor fire incident believed to be caused by short circuit. However, it will be investigated jointly by police, fire and GED teams.”
Meanwhile, repair work has been started and entry to the chamber has been restricted for all.
“Repair work has begun on war-footing. Everything will be set right before the Chief Minister comes to the chamber on Thursday morning,” said an official.