Malpe: A fire broke out in the meeting room of the Fisheries Department office in Malpe on Monday night, leaving the room completely charred.

The incident, reportedly caused by a short circuit, came to light when the office opened on Tuesday morning. Firefighters were called to extinguish the smoldering remains.

The fire destroyed crucial items, including air conditioners, fans, chairs, tables, and partition walls. Important office files were also reduced to ashes. Officials reported that the room’s AC unit exploded, exacerbating the damage.

The thick smoke blackened the walls and spread across all rooms of the building. Authorities estimated the loss to be around Rs 4 lakh. If the fire had spread further, the entire building could have been consumed.

A complaint has been lodged with the Malpe Police Station.