Patna: A fire broke out on the 13th floor of Biscomaun Bhawan, one of Patna’s tallest commercial buildings, in the early hours of Saturday, triggering a major firefighting operation. The blaze was brought under control within about 45 minutes with the help of hydraulic fire tenders and cranes.
According to officials, the fire was first noticed around 4 am by a security guard stationed in the building. The guard observed smoke spreading across the floor and, upon investigating, saw flames emerging from the windows of the 13th floor. He immediately alerted the police and the fire department.
Several fire tenders rushed to the scene shortly after receiving the alert. However, firefighters initially faced difficulties due to the height of the high-rise building. Hydraulic platforms and long-reach cranes were subsequently deployed, enabling fire personnel to access the affected floor and contain the blaze.
Eyewitnesses said flames could be seen rising from the upper floor of the building, while sirens from fire engines drew local residents to the area. Firefighters worked intensively to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the structure.
Ajit Kumar, Fire Officer from Kankarbagh Fire Station, said the department received information about the fire in the morning and immediately dispatched firefighting teams. He noted that previous mock drills conducted at the building proved helpful in managing the emergency efficiently.
“The fire has been brought under control. The exact cause is yet to be determined, but prima facie it appears to have been triggered by a short circuit. A detailed investigation will be carried out by the concerned authorities,” he said.
Fire Officer Ritesh Pandey said the control room received information at around 3:45 am regarding smoke emanating from the 13th floor of Biscomaun Bhawan. Firefighters reached the location within five minutes and launched rescue and firefighting operations.
Officials said 15 to 16 fire tenders were deployed to tackle the blaze.
Preliminary reports indicate that the Beltron office, located on the affected floor, suffered extensive damage. The false ceiling reportedly collapsed after being engulfed in flames, while several computers, electronic devices, furniture, important documents and other office assets were destroyed.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far.
Authorities are currently assessing the extent of the damage and conducting a safety audit of the premises. The exact cause of the fire will be determined after completion of the investigation.
