All units in Technopolis — a multi-storeyed commercial and office complex in Sector V — were evacuated on Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out at a BSNL warehouse right opposite the building.
Residents and passing motorists saw smoke billowing out of the warehouse, which is located on a large plot, around 1.20pm.
“The warehouse has a lot of old and new cables. As some of the cables caught fire, it soon spread to other parts of the warehouse,” a police officer said.
In a short time, the fire turned into a blaze and thick black smoke could be seen from several kilometres away.
Traffic came to a standstill with cops making way for fire tenders, seven of which were pressed into service. It took more than three-and-a-half hours to control the blaze.
“There were no injuries or casualties as the fire was confined within the godown and there were very few people on the premises,” said an officer.
Firemen suspect the fire started from a burnt cigarette end.
“We were working at the office when some employees came running and told us about the fire opposite our building,” said an employee of a private firm that has an office in the Technopolis building.
“The flames were visible from our office. After some time guards at Technopolis escorted us out. The fire was scary but thankfully firemen and the police arrived on time and prevented any major damage.”
A senior officer in the fire and emergency services department said they had to cool down the boundary walls of the warehouse to ensure the fire did not spread. “The Technopolis building did not suffer any damage. Employees had to be evacuated,” the officer said.