Chandigarh, July 07: A major tragedy was averted due to presence of mind of ex-serviceman Gurdarshan Singh as he used fire extinguishers to douse a fire that broke out at the Suvidha centre in the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Phase I in Mohali on Monday.
Though no major loss was reported, the electric wiring and allied installations were reportedly damaged in the inferno.
Eyewitnesses claimed that around 10.30 am, smoke started emanating from the junction box of room number 14 on the ground floor where a large number of visitors were waiting to complete their official works at the single window system.
A fire brigade and Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) employees also rushed to the spot, who snapped the power supply to the Suvidha centre to avoid further loss.
Though the exact cause of fire was yet to be ascertained, PSEB officials apprehended that a short circuit could be responsible for the incident.
Deputy Commissioner P S Mand supervised the firefighting operation and ordered an inquiry in the incident.
He also asked PSEB officials to check the electric wiring of the DC office to avoid such mishaps in future.
Following the fire breakout, the work at the Suvidha centre came to a halt and remained suspended till evening, much to the inconvenience of the residents. “We are on the job to restore the services but are not sure if work at the centre will begin on Tuesday,” said an official.
BAN FLOUTED?
Some onlookers claimed that air-conditioners were being operated in the office in violation of the government’s ban though officials denied the same.
–Agencies