An inquiry has been ordered into the late-evening fire in the ‘C’ block of the Secretariat on Sunday that gutted some files in the confidential section.
The fire that broke out apparently due to a short circuit destroyed some files lying outside and partly damaged files in an almirah, before it could be extinguished. However, GAD officials said the files that were destroyed were only the duplicate copies of reports submitted by the CBI. The original reports were safe with the government and there was nothing to worry.
Commissioner of Police Anurag Sharma has asked DCP Kamalasan Reddy to look into the incident and examine the CCTV footage. Experts would be consulted as there were complaints about poor quality of wiring and maintenance, sources said.
The incidents of minor fire mishaps have become a periodical feature in several blocks in the Secretariat and interestingly, several files were destroyed in a fire in the C block before 2009 elections.
Officials, however, blamed it on worn-out wiring and severe heat that could have made the situation vulnerable to short circuit.