Fire breaks out at NIT Rourkela, property worth lakhs gutted

Rourkela: Property worth lakhs of rupees and several important documents were gutted after a fire broke out at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus in Rourkela late on Tuesday night. However, no casualty or injuries were reported in the incident.

According to sources, the fire broke out at the Works and Purchase Department of the institute damaging property worth lakhs of rupees. Many important files, documents and several electronic equipments present inside the department were reduced to ash.

The fire brigade officials were informed immediately after the authorities noticed fire emitting out of the office building. Two fire tenders managed to douse the flames.

Though the exact cause behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that short circuit might be the reason behind the mishap.

It is also suspected that someone might have set the office on fire over alleged irregularities in the department, sources said.

Meanwhile, a seven member fact-finding team has been formed to conduct a probe into the incident and submit an enquiry report today.

Meanwhile, questions have been raised on the safety and security at the reputed institute as it is not the first incident of fire mishap.

Earlier on May this year, a major mishap was averted and assets worth lakhs were saved after fire broke out in a computer lab on the premises of the institute due to electric short circuit.