A major fire broke out in the office of fertiliser manufacturer Krishak Bharati Co-operative Limited (KRIBHCO) in Lucknow on Tuesday, triggering panic amongst the locals, officials said. No casualty was reported in the incident.
The fire engulfed the first floor of the multi-storeyed building, situated in the busy Gomti Nagar area.
“The fire was a massive one. With the timely intervention of our team members, we managed to control the blaze before it could reach other establishments in its vicinity,” Lucknow’s chief fire officer Rajendra Tiwari told reporters.
“It was only after over two hours that we managed to bring the situation under control. However, by then the flames had completely destroyed the first floor of the KRIBHCO office,” he added.
Some of the workers, who were trapped inside the office, were rescued in a joint operation by the fire fighters and police.
The office also houses a fertilizer distribution centre. “We are yet to ascertain the financial losses caused by the fire,” said Tiwari.
“Though the cause of the fire is not yet known, it appears that it was caused by an electrical short-circuit in the office,” he added.