A 57-year-old Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Sub-Inspector (SI) died and several files were gutted in a major fire at the office of the Ministry of Social Justice at the fifth floor of the 11-storey building that houses several Government offices at CGO Complex on Wednesday.
According to Atul Garg, Chief Fire Official of Delhi Fire Services (DFS), a call was received about the fire at 8.34 am following which 25 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
“The fire was brought under control at 10.50 am. Initial probe suggests that short-circuit caused fire in the building. However, the exact reason would be ascertained after investigation,” said Garg.
CISF Sub-Inspector and shift-in-charge MP Godara died in the fire on the fifth floor of Pandit Deendayal Antodaya Bhawan, previously known as Paryavaran Bhawan.
“Godara, a former Air Force personnel, first noticed the smoke coming out of the fifth floor and reached the spot with other CISF personnel to start evacuating the area. But during the evacuation process, he inhaled toxic gasses and fell unconscious. He was taken to AIIMS, where he died during treatment,” said spokesperson of CISF.
“The autopsy had already been conducted and body has been sent to his native village in Rajasthan,” said Vijay Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), South district.
Godara, a resident of Churu district in Rajasthan, had joined CISF in 2008. He is survived by two sons and wife who live in Churu.
Ministry officials said 80 per cent of the entire B1 wing of the building has been gutted in the fire and several files have been destroyed.