fire-at-madhya-pradesh-state-secretariat-no-casualties-reported

A fire broke out on the third floor of the Madhya Pradesh state secretariat building here on Saturday morning, and no one was injured in the incident, officials said.

 

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav took stock of the situation and directed the officials to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents.

 

Some sanitation workers noticed smoke at the Vallabh Bhawan — as the secretariat building is officially known — around 9.30 am, following which the fire brigade was alerted, sources said.

 

“Firefighters have brought the blaze under control, and further work is on. Now, only smoke is emanating from the third floor where documents are kept,” Bhopal Municipal Corporation’s Fire Officer Rameshwar Neel told sources.

 

Fifteen to 20 fire tenders have been pressed into service, he said.

 

According to sources, sanitation workers working near gates 5 and 6 of the secretariat complex noticed the smoke, following which the authorities were informed.

 

Talking to reporters, the chief minister said, “I was in Bhopal, and I came to know that a fire broke out on the third floor of the old building of Vallabh Bhavan. I sought information from the collector and asked the chief secretary to monitor the situation.” The fire has been brought under control, he said.

 

"A directive has been issued to prevent such incidents and ensure that no papers and no important files are destroyed. I hope that such incidents don't recur,” Yadav said.