A fire at the SDO office in Siliguri, West Bengal, resulted in the destruction of important documents related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The fire broke out suddenly at the office on Hill Cart Road in Mallaguri early on Thursday, causing severe damage. Two rooms of the office were completely gutted, with computers and government documents being among the items destroyed.
Prompt action by the fire brigade prevented a major disaster, as security guards and locals noticed black smoke emanating from a room shortly after midnight. The guards acted swiftly to extinguish the fire, and the Pradhan Nagar Police Station and Fire Department were alerted. Two fire engines arrived promptly and managed to bring the fire under control.
While the extent of the damage is not yet fully known, sources from the Fire Department confirmed that documents in the affected rooms were engulfed in flames. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire, with both the Fire Department and police involved in the process.
SDO Vikas Ruhela, along with Darjeeling District Magistrate Manish Mishra and Superintendent of Police Praween Prakash, responded to the scene following the incident. Siliguri Mayor Goutam Deb also inquired about the situation. SDO Ruhela stated that it was too early to provide details on the fire incident, while the Station Officer of the Siliguri fire station assured that the fire was now under control, with investigations ongoing to ascertain the extent of the damage and the cause of the blaze.
