Massive fire breaks out at DGHS building in Karkardooma

NEW DELHI: A massive fire broke out at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) office in Delhi's Karkardooma.

A total of 22 fire tenders rushed to the spot even as thick plumes of smoke could be seen coming out of the DGHS building on Friday afternoon. No casualties were reported.

At least 350 to 400 people, including employees of the government officer, were inside the building when the fire started spreading across the structure. However, people were quick to sense trouble and rushed downstairs to avoid being caught inside the building that was on fire. It took barely some minutes for the fire to go out of control. Soon, the fire Several people from within the building and outside gave a call to the fire department and immediately the fire tenders rushed to the spot.

"Sixty fire personnel were deployed at the spot. The fire at the Delhi health department office in Karkardooma was reported around 1:30 pm. It was brought under control at about 5 pm. There is no report of any casualties," said Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer.

Though there were no casualties several files and documents are reportedly damaged in the building. Property worth several lakhs has also been destroyed in the blaze.

The fire department and the Delhi police is ascertaining the cause of the fire and the point from where it originated. Flames and thick smoke could be seen from kilometres away.

The huge blaze started on the sixth floor of the DGHS building and quickly spread to 7th and 8th floors. Within minutes a decision was taken to vacate the nearby Hedgewar Hospital to avoid any untoward incident. Member of Parliament from East Delhi Gautam Gambhir also tweeted, "The inferno at the Directorate of Health Services building at Karkardooma is thankfully under control. I thank the Delhi Fire Department for their quick response in curbing the fire. I've spoken to the DCP, and thankfully there are no casualties."