Four trapped as building collapses in Chandigarh

At least four people, including two firemen, were trapped under debris after a building collapsed in Chandigarh's commercial hub of Sector 17 Sunday night, police said. It is feared that the trapped people may have died.

The building, which housed the government-run National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIEIT) had caught fire Sunday evening after a blast in the air-conditioning unit that was being repaired.

Rescue officials at the site said that efforts were being made to locate the trapped people.

Being a Sunday, the computer centre was closed for staff and trainees.

Police said that a major portion of the building collapsed from the raging fire. Several fire tenders from Chandigarh and adjoining areas were pressed into service to contain the blaze.

The local administration later called the army for rescue operations.