Fire Breaks Out at Indian Bank Branch in Ratlam; Electronics, Furniture and Documents Damaged
A fire broke out on Friday morning at a branch of Indian Bank located on Palace Road in Ratlam. The incident caused significant damage to computers, air conditioners, furniture, and several important documents kept inside the bank premises.
According to reports, residents living near the bank noticed smoke coming from the building at around 7:15 am. They immediately informed the authorities about the situation. After receiving the alert, bank officials and staff members rushed to the spot.
By the time the staff reached the bank, a large amount of smoke had already filled the premises. When the shutter of the bank was opened, employees discovered that the smoke was coming from a cabin located near the front section inside the bank.
The fire brigade was immediately informed about the incident. Soon after, two fire tenders reached the spot and began firefighting operations. During this time, the fire started spreading quickly inside the bank building. Firefighters worked continuously for nearly an hour to control the blaze. After intense efforts, they finally managed to bring the fire under control.
However, by then, a considerable amount of property inside the bank had already been damaged.Several electronic items inside the bank were affected by the fire. Around seven to eight computers were either completely burnt or badly damaged by water used during the firefighting process. The air conditioner installed in the bank manager’s cabin was completely destroyed due to the intense heat. Glass panes in the cabin also shattered because of the heat generated by the flames.
Furniture inside the bank and many important documents were also damaged. Some documents were burnt in the fire while others were spoiled by the water used to extinguish the flames.Officials said the fire is believed to have started in a cabin located near the locker section of the bank.
Fortunately, the locker vault itself was located deeper inside the premises and remained safe from the fire. The bank branch is located on the ground floor of the building, while a coaching centre operates on the upper floor. Fortunately, the incident happened early in the morning when no staff members, students, or customers were present inside the building. As a result, no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident. Authorities are expected to further investigate the cause of the fire.
