A major fire broke out at Satpura Bhawan, which houses various offices of the Madhya Pradesh government, in Bhopal on Monday. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has sought help of the Indian Air Force as firefighting operations continued into the night.
Fire tenders from Army, AAI and facilities of oil companies have also been called in for the dousing operation, PTI reported. No casualties have been reported in the blaze which has been raging since 4 pm.
Officials told PTI that blaze destroyed furniture and documents of several departments. Around 22 fire tenders and 30-40 tankers have been deployed for the dousing operation.
"Operations are underway to douse the fire. Wherever resources are available, we are making full use of them. CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is monitoring the situation at the spot. All the administration here is engaged in controlling the fire. We hope that soon the fire will be under control," ANI quoted Madhya Pradesh minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang as saying.
It can be seen in videos that the fierce blaze sent plumes of thick smoke billowing into the sky, causing alarm among authorities and residents alike. As per a police official, no casualties were reported as the staff working there immediately rushed out of the office.
"As per prima facie information and people present at the spot informed that the blaze erupted on the third floor of the building due to a short circuit in an air conditioner and raged to other floors due to wind," said Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra.
The fire spread to the sixth floor of the building and the terrace in quick time, making the firefighting operation more arduous. The affected building is located on a hill in front of the state government secretariat Vallabh Bhawan.
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Earlier in the day, another massive fire broke out at Delhi's Ghazipur landfill site. After receiving the information, 14 fire tenders reached the spot. A firefighting operation is currently underway. The reason for the blaze is still not known. No injuries have been reported yet. An envelope of smoke engulfed the area, ANI reported.
On Sunday, a fire broke out at an industrial factory in the national capital's Kirti Nagar area. Firefighters were immediately rushed to the spot.
On Saturday, a fire broke out in a chemical factory in Saraswati Complex under the limits of the Domjur police station of Howrah, West Bengal. Soon after receiving the information, four fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames.
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