Fire at New Secretariat building in Kolkata

A fire has broken out at the New Secretariat building at the central business district of Kolkata.

Thick smoke was seen billowing out of the windows of the building, housing several government offices.

Fire department sources said 20 fire tenders had been rushed to the spot after reports of fire from the seventh floor of the building at 10.30 am.

"Fire fighters, armed with masks and oxygen cylinders, are trying to enter the core area of the fire. One sky ladder has been brought to evacuate people, if any," fire officials said.

"We, however, believe there is no person trapped. The sky ladder will help us do the job of firefighting," he said.

The building is about 30 years old. It was built as an extension of the original state Secretariat, Writers' Building.