A heritage monument, which was once secretariat of the erstwhile Dogra rulers in Jammu, was partially damaged in fire, police officials said today.
The blaze occurred due to negligence of labourers, who had lit fire inside the historic Mubarak mandi complex, to beat the severe cold last night, they said.
Timber logs kept in a room caught fire and partially damaged the building, which was being preserved as a heritage monument, they added.
Nine fire tenders were pressed into operation and the blaze was brought under control by 0145 hours today, the officials said adding that there was no major loss to the complex.
Mubarak mandi had two portions used by the Dogra kings - one block was used for living and another served as a Darbar till 1947.
Later it was used as civil secretariat first and then housed several offices of the state government.
The complex was vacated a year ago by the information department, as it was undertaken by a state and central government aided NGO for renovating and preserving it as a heritage monument, at a cost of Rs 10 crore.