Minor fire breaks out at South Block, 13 fire tenders rushed

A minor fire broke out at South Block, which houses the ministries of defence, external affairs ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

A minor fire broke out at South Block on Raisina Hill, which houses the defence and external affairs ministries and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), an official said.

A minor fire broke out at South Block, which houses the ministries of defence, external affairs ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) (ANI Photo)

Seven fire tenders were sent to the high-security zone. The fire was put out in 10 minutes, a fire official said.

The fire started at an office of the finance ministry situated opposite the Prime Minister’s Office. “We received a call that fire has started in an office of the finance ministry near gate number 8 of the South Block. Our men handled the situation and doused the fire within minutes. No casualty was reported from the spot,” a fire official said.

Officials said that prima facie, a short circuit appears to have caused the fire. Certain documents and furniture was damaged in the fire. However, what documents were burnt is not known.

“Some chairs and tables were burnt in the fire. Some files and loose documents kept in the office caught fire. The cost of the articles destroyed is also not known,” an official said.

An inquiry has been ordered. “It appears to have started from a short circuit in an electric board due to over heating. The inquiry is on,” an official said.