Fire at RBI building in New Delhi: Solar panel box blaze doused in 15 minutes
Synopsis
A fire broke out at the RBI headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, traced to a solar panel box. Five fire tenders doused it in just 15 minutes with no injuries — but the incident spotlights fire safety concerns at critical financial infrastructure, even as the RBI separately reported near-total return of ₹2,000 notes.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out at the RBI building in New Delhi on 5 May 2025 at around 1:05 pm IST .
The blaze originated from a solar panel box within the premises and was doused in 15 minutes by five fire tenders .
No injuries or casualties were reported; all personnel were safe.
A separate fire was reported in Chawri Bazar , Delhi, on Sunday evening, handled by the Connaught Place Fire Station .
Separately, the RBI confirmed 98.47% of ₹2,000 banknotes have been returned since withdrawal was announced on 19 May 2023 ; only ₹5,451 crore worth remain in circulation as of 30 April 2026 .
A fire broke out at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) building in New Delhi on Tuesday, 5 May, with firefighting teams responding swiftly and bringing the blaze under control within 15 minutes. No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident, officials confirmed.
How the Fire Started
According to officials, the blaze originated from a box containing solar panels within the RBI premises. Firefighters were alerted at around 1:05 pm IST, following which five fire tenders were rushed to the site. The quick response prevented any major damage or escalation, and all personnel present at the building were reported safe.
Recent Fire Incidents in Delhi
The RBI building fire comes close on the heels of another blaze reported in the city. A fire had broken out earlier in the Chawri Bazar area of Delhi, for which a call was received by the Connaught Place Fire Station at around 7:21 pm on Sunday. Firefighting teams were immediately dispatched to manage that situation as well. This is part of a broader pattern of fire incidents reported across the capital in recent weeks, raising questions about fire safety infrastructure in older commercial and heritage zones.
RBI in the News: ₹2,000 Note Withdrawal Update
Separately, the RBI last week released data showing that 98.47% of ₹2,000 denomination banknotes in circulation have been returned — nearly three years after it announced their withdrawal. The central bank had declared the withdrawal of ₹2,000 notes from circulation on 19 May 2023 as part of its currency management exercise.
At the time of the announcement, the total value of such notes in circulation stood at ₹3.56 lakh crore. According to data released by the RBI on 1 May 2026, this figure has sharply declined to ₹5,451 crore as of 30 April 2026.
Point of View
But fire safety protocols for such equipment appear to lag behind the pace of deployment. The fact that five tenders were needed for what was ultimately a contained blaze raises questions about proportionality and preparedness. Meanwhile, the near-complete return of ₹2,000 notes is a quiet vindication of the RBI's currency management exercise — but the ₹5,451 crore still outstanding deserves a clearer accounting of where it sits.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone injured in the RBI building fire in New Delhi?
No injuries or casualties were reported in the fire at the RBI building in New Delhi on 5 May. Officials confirmed that all personnel present at the building were safe.
What caused the fire at the RBI building?
According to officials, the fire originated from a box containing solar panels within the RBI premises. The exact cause of the solar panel box catching fire has not been officially detailed.
How quickly was the RBI fire brought under control?
Five fire tenders were rushed to the RBI building after an alert was received at around 1:05 pm IST, and the fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, preventing major damage.
What is the latest update on the ₹2,000 note withdrawal?
The RBI reported on 1 May 2026 that 98.47% of ₹2,000 banknotes have been returned since their withdrawal was announced on 19 May 2023. The value of such notes still in circulation has fallen to ₹5,451 crore as of 30 April 2026, down from ₹3.56 lakh crore at the time of withdrawal.
Have there been other recent fire incidents in Delhi?
Yes, a fire was also reported in the Chawri Bazar area of Delhi, with the Connaught Place Fire Station receiving a call at around 7:21 pm on Sunday. Firefighting teams were dispatched to manage that incident as well.
