Huge Fire in 6-storey Building Housing MP Govt Offices in Bhopal, No Casualties; IAF Plane May Join Dousing Operation

A massive fire broke out on the third floor of the Satpura Bhawan building which houses the offices of various departments of the Madhya Pradesh state government in Bhopal on Monday, prompting authorities to call fire tenders from the army, AAI, oil company facilities, officials and marketing officer. .

An Indian Air Force aircraft and an MI-15 helicopter may join the nighttime drenching operation, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (CMO).

There were no reports of any injuries in the fire, which broke out since 4:00 p.m.

The fire, which spread to the upper sixth floor of the building and the balcony, could be seen from different parts of the city. The damaged building is located on a hill in front of Vallabh Bhawan State Government Secretariat.

Officials said the fire destroyed furniture and documents of several departments.

The Prime Minister’s Office said fire tenders and firefighters from the Army, Indian Oil Corporation, BPCL, Airports Authority of India, BHEL and from Mandidep and Raisen have been called in.

Chief Executive Officer said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan had spoken to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh asking for help from the Air Force and it was confirmed that an AN-32 and MI-15 helicopter would reach Bhopal at night and help put out the fire by pouring water from above. .

Chauhan also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and asked for help, the marketing director said.

District collector Ashish Singh said that all resources have been mobilized and around 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers are involved in the immersion process so far.

He said the fire has spread as there are many files stored in the building and firefighters cannot enter due to the thick smoke.

The intensity of the fire is very high. Singh added that there were no reports of casualties.

Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra said, “As per initial information and people on site informed that the fire broke out on the third floor of the building due to a short circuit in the air conditioner and other floors caught fire due to the wind.”

Ramesh Neel, fire officer of the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, said the fire broke out at around 4pm.

“Furniture and documents were destroyed at first sight in the fire,” he said.

On the other hand, the state government has formed a committee of senior bureaucrats to research the possible causes behind the fire.

The committee includes the Additional Principal Secretary (Home), Principal Secretary (Urban Management), Principal Secretary (PWD) and Additional General Manager (Fire), according to the chief executive.

On the other hand, Arrera Hills Police Station official, R.K. Singh, said the fire engulfed the furniture and documents in the tribal healthcare departments located inside the building.

He claimed that the fire had been brought under control in most parts of the building.

(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)