Three-storey building in Panchkula gutted in fire

A major fire broke out in a three-storeyed building complex near sector-14 in Panchkula in the wee hours today, but there was no casualty, a senior fire department official said.
"The coaching institute on the second floor was the worst affected in the fire which started in the wee hours around 3 am. After someone noticed the flames in the morning at 6.30 am, the fire department was informed and we immediately rushed to the spot," said Ram Dutt Bhardwaj, Panchkula's Fire Officer.
The building also houses an office of a private company on the top floor and a restaurant on the ground floor.

He said while fire tenders from the Panchkula district were pressed into service, a hydraulic ladder fire truck from Chandigarh also assisted in controlling the blaze, which was doused after 3-4 hours.
Bhardwaj said the damage caused in the fire is being assessed. The articles which were gutted include computers and other office equipment, he said.
"As per preliminary investigation, the cause behind the fire appears to be a short-circuit," he added.