Kozhikode: A massive fire was reported at the Vadakara taluk office here on Friday morning, following which the government ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
The old single-storied structure with tiled roof has been gutted and the documents kept here have been reduced to ashes.
The wooden roof topped with clay tiles has collapsed.
The adjacent old treasury building nearby was partially gutted as the fire spread.
Though the blaze is under control now, three units of fire engines, which rushed to the spot from Nadapuram, Vadakara and Perambra are still fighting to douse it completely, official sources here said.
The reason for the fire is yet to be determined.
The roof of the renovated old building collapsed in the fire, sources added. Revenue Minister P Rajan told reporters that all aspects including the possibility of any "external intervention" into the incident would be probed.
"Directions have been given to carry out a comprehensive probe as soon as a preliminary report into the incident is received. All aspects including the possibility of any external intervention behind the incident will be included in the investigation," he said.
District Police Chief, Srinivas A also did not reject the chances of external intervention behind the unexpected fire break in the government office.
"I am not accepting or rejecting any such possibility at the moment. A comprehensive probe will be carried out by a special team led by Vadakara DYSP," he said.
The officer also said the special branch has been entrusted with the preparation of a preliminary inquiry report sought by the Collector in this regard and scientific evidence would be collected soon.
The district administration made it clear that only old records and files were destroyed in the fire as an e-filing system has been in place after the year 2019.
Located in the heart of Vadakara town adjacent to the district court complex and other state government offices, most of the files and properties at the Taluk office have been destroyed in the fire, sources said.
