Himachal begins probe into heritage building fire

A probe began Sunday into the fire that left Minto Court, a British era heritage building here, completely damaged, officials said. There was no loss of life.

"An inquiry has been constituted and it will be conducted by an SDM (sub-divisional magistrate) within one month," said Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Malhotra.

He said the entire building, currently housing the office of Project Deepak of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), an inter-services organisation under the defence ministry, was burnt down and the records damaged Saturday night.

The fire occurred on the top floor of the two-storeyed building built by the British in half-timbered Tudor style -- all-wooden frames and shingled eaves, a fire department official said. He said the blaze subsequently spread to the lower floor.

Minto Court is located in the vicinity of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.

The fire burned for more than five hours before the firefighters could bring it under control, fire official M.L. Thakur said. It is unclear how the fire started.

Superintendent of Police D.W. Negi said a case under Section 436 of the Indian Penal Code has been registered.

This is the second major fire in a heritage building in Shimla in less than a year.

A devastating fire broke out in 109-year-old Gorton Castle, housing the state's Audit and Accountant General's officers, Jan 28, reducing two of its floors to ashes.