Several files, computers and furniture were destroyed in a fire that broke out in the Panchayati Raj Department at the State Secretariat here on Monday morning.
Fire brigade was called in after smoke was seen coming out of the room belonging to the Private Secretary to Panchayati Raj Secretary Deoranjan Singh. Fire brigade personnel soon brought the fire under control. But by then, several files and office furniture had already been burnt.
“Only one room belonging to the Private Secretary has been affected by the fire. Initial reports suggest the fire is the result of an electric short circuit,” departmental Secretary Singh said.
On hearing about the fire mishap, Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahoo rushed to the spot to get stock of the situation. “I have asked the Secretary to conduct an inquiry into how the fire occurred and file a report soon,” he said.