Fire Engulfs Secretariat Complex in Bhopal: No Injuries Reported, Investigation Underway

A significant fire erupted on the third floor of the ‘Vallabh Bhawan’ building in the Madhya Pradesh secretariat complex in Bhopal on Saturday morning. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the flames were extinguished after a five-hour operation, officials reported.

The response to the fire involved personnel from the Army, National Disaster Response Force, police firefighters, and the municipal fire brigade.

#WATCH | Madhya Pradesh | A massive fire breaks out at Vallabh Bhavan State Secretariat in Bhopal. Firefighting operations are underway. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/QBto0QSVIy

— ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2024

Given that it was a Saturday, with government offices closed and the premises nearly empty, the timing of the fire minimized potential harm, according to sources.

Conspiracy or Coincidence?

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav promptly directed officials to take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future. However, state Congress chief Jitu Patwari alleged a conspiracy, suggesting the fire was an attempt to destroy evidence of corruption.

Expressing concern over the incident, Yadav assured reporters that the fire had been brought under control and emphasized the need to safeguard important documents from such incidents in the future.

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The fire department, supported by around 40 to 50 fire tenders and water tankers, including assistance from the Army, battled the blaze.

Sanitation workers noticed smoke emanating from the building and alerted authorities around 9.30 am.

CBI probe’s demand

Patwari and Leader of Opposition Umang Sarang staged a sit-in outside the secretariat, demanding a CBI probe into the fire.

This incident marks the fifth fire at Vallabh Bhawan since the BJP came to power in 2003, according to Patwari. He questioned which files and departments were affected, alleging a BJP conspiracy to conceal evidence of corruption.

In response, BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi dismissed Patwari’s claims, challenging the opposition to substantiate any corruption charges and suggesting a review of the UPA government’s record instead.