Fire breaks out at Srinagar secretariat

Srinagar, July 11: A major fire broke out at the Secretariat here at Batmaloo area of the city centre around 9 am on Thursday. Sixteen fire tenders were sent to the spot. A part of the record room at the secretariat was gutted.

Traffic on the road leading up to the secretariat was stopped.

Sources said the secretariat building, which is made of wood, is over 30 years old.

The reason behind the fire was yet to be ascertained.

Officials later said that the flames were doused, adding that it would take some time to assess the extent of damage.

The wooden structure housing the administrative offices of the planning department, housing department, office of the employees' association and a canteen was completely destroyed.

The secretariat houses top government offices including those of the chief minister and his ministerial colleagues, the state chief secretary and other senior bureaucrats.

OneIndia News

(With IANS inputs)