A massive fire at Satpura Bhawan in Bhopal, which houses offices of several government departments, was doused after a nearly 14-hour long operation involving the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and local authorities.
The building was evacuated in time and no one was injured.
Sources said the fire started around 4 pm from the third floor of the government building, housing the regional office of Tribal Welfare Department. From the third floor, the fire had spread fast to three upper floors. As the raging inferno came in contact with air conditioners and some gas cylinders, there were multiple blasts.
Sources said all the offices located there bore the brunt of the fire, including the health department office, where files have been destroyed.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah about the fire and sought assistance for dousing it, an official said.
Bhopal Police Commissioner, Harinarayan Chari Mishra said that primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is a short circuit, but a team has been formed to investigate it.
"The flames have been controlled but there is a cloud of smoke at different places, due to which there is a possibility that it may catch fire later but teams are working. As of now, there is no need (for IAF helicopters). Primarily it has come to the fore that the cause of the fire is due to a short circuit, but a team of experts has been formed to investigate it," said Harinarayan Chari Mishra.
