RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, March 22: Important documents feared charred as fire broke out on the fifth floor of the Main branch of State Bank of India at Kutchery under Kotwali police station.
Situated in the heart of the Jharkhand capital, the place is close to Raj Bhawan, CCL headquarters, Civil Court, Audrey House among other prominent locations.
Though a section of people associated with the bank suspect sabotage before the end of the financial year, in-charge of Doranda fire station, Gopal Yadav, who rushed two fire tenders to douse the fire after getting information around 2.45 am in the wee hour today, ruled out the possibility suspecting it a case of accidental fire due to short circuit.
“Generally people forget to switch off MCB before leaving the office. Thus sometimes wires get overheated resulting in the melting of the insulating cover. This causes a short circuit and short circuit causes fire. Apparently, the same thing happened here,” Yadav said, adding “Durghatna ke teen gawahi Agyanta, Bhool Aur Laparwahi.”
Asked about the loss, Yadav said it could not be ascertained so far and it will be assessed by a surveyor after visiting the spot.
Asked how many fire tenders were used to douse the fire, Yadav said ‘seven’. “Out of seven fire tenders two were from Doranda, three were from Audrey House. One each was from Dhurwa and Piska More,” he added.
Asked about the cash, Yadav said it was safe. “General chest of any bank used to be located on the ground floor or basement. We did not allow the fire to reach there. Within an hour after getting information fire was brought under control and by 9am fire fighting was completed,” Yadav said.
Officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station Shailesh Kumar supported Yadav saying on the fifth floor HR-related work is done and thus there is no major damage. “As far as details of damage is concerned, detailed information in the matter is yet to come from the bank,” OC Kumar said.
