Team News Riveting
Bhopal, March 9
Several important official documents are learnt to have gutted in a devastating fire that broke at Vallabh Bhawan that houses Madhya Pradesh’s secretariat and mantralaya.
The intensity of the inferno could be gauged by the reports that it took over three hours for the fire fighters to control it. Besides the local civic body, fire tenders from the Indian Army and Air Force stations, airports, BHEL and other establishments were pressed into the service.
According to reports, the employees spotted flames on the third floor of the Bhawan at around 9.30 am and intimated the fire services that swung into action within 15 minutes. Because of the wind, the fire soon spread to the fourth and fifth floor. Within minutes, a portion of the bhawan was engulfed in the fire. The billowing dense black smoke inflicted panic in the area.
Five people were trapped inside the building who were safely evacuated. The exact cause of the fire could not be ascertained.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has ordered a high-level probe into the incident. The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary to monitor the incident and ensure that such incident does not recur. He has directed the officials to ensure that the important documents and files are safe.
Vallabh Bhawan fire reminded of Satpura Bhawan fire that took place on June 12, 2023. Satpura Bhawan is close to Vallabh Bhawan and the fire could be controlled in two days. It is said that about 12,000 important files were burnt to ashes in the fire of Satpura Bhawan.
The loss in the Vallabh Bhawan could be determined only after a detailed investigation, officials said.
