NEW DELHI, Oct. 26 — A fire broke out on the rooftop of North Block—one of India’s most heavily guarded government complexes housing key federal ministries—during ongoing renovation work on Monday morning, drawing a rapid emergency response from the Delhi Fire Services.
Six fire engines were dispatched to the historic Central Vista complex near the Parliament building shortly after black smoke was spotted rising from the upper levels at around 11:10 a.m. Firefighters brought the flames under control within minutes, preventing significant structural damage. Officials confirmed there were no casualties or injuries.
Preliminary investigations indicated that welding operations on a central air conditioning unit triggered an electrical short circuit on the rooftop, igniting nearby materials.
“The fire originated from an AC unit during welding work being conducted as part of internal renovations. A short circuit appears to have sparked the blaze,” a senior Delhi Fire Services official stated, noting that prompt containment averted what could have been a major safety hazard in the sensitive administrative enclave.
The incident drew immediate public attention due to the building’s critical location. Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha lawmaker Milind Deora, who was en route to Parliament, posted on social media platform X that he witnessed thick plumes of smoke billowing from the rear of the complex, commending emergency responders for their swift intervention.
North Block forms a central pillar of India’s executive governance, housing the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and other high-level departments.
Source: NDTV, Times Now (via Delhi Fire Services official statement)