Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviaj Chavan told rediff.com that fire in Mantralaya is absolutely shocking. He said, "Today afternoon I was holding a meeting at the Sahyadri Guest House in Malabar Hill. When I started to move to my office in Mantralaya, I was told about the fire."

He refused to give any reason behind the fire. He said, "We are taking every possible step to save lives, help the injured and taking measures to contain the fire."

He also said that the fire started somewhere between 3rd and 4th floor. The exact place is not known. He said, "It looks like all papers in my 6th floor office may have been burnt down. The fire has started exactly few floors below my office. It then spread above."

He said, "Thankfully, there is no news of any casualty, so far."

He refused to answer allegations of 'sabotage'.

Picture: Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviaj Chavan at the site.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi

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