Fire at Rajasthan Secretariat's DIPR office: No casualties, probe on
Synopsis
A fire broke out at the DIPR News Section inside the Rajasthan Secretariat on 9 May, the second such incident at the same office in under a year. Both fires were linked to suspected short circuits — raising serious questions about the Secretariat's electrical safety infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
A fire broke out in the DIPR News Section at the Rajasthan Secretariat , Jaipur , on 9 May 2025 .
The blaze was preliminarily attributed to a short circuit in an electrical switchboard .
No casualties were reported; no major property damage confirmed so far.
Computers, documents, and equipment in the News Section are being inspected for damage.
A formal investigation has been launched; the Secretariat's electrical infrastructure is also under review.
A similar fire at the same DIPR office occurred in June last year , also linked to a suspected short circuit, damaging government files and furniture.
A fire broke out in the News Section of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at the Rajasthan Secretariat in Jaipur on Saturday, 9 May, triggering brief panic among employees and officials, according to authorities. The blaze was brought under control without any casualties or immediate reports of major property damage.
How the Fire Started
According to preliminary reports, the fire was triggered by a short circuit in an electrical switchboard, which caused smoke to rapidly spread across the DIPR News Section. Employees and officials scrambled as the smoke filled the area, prompting an immediate alert to the Fire Department by Secretariat security personnel.
Fire brigade teams arrived promptly and launched firefighting operations, successfully containing the blaze in time to avert a larger disaster. Officials noted that the swift response of both security staff and firefighters was critical in preventing the situation from escalating.
Damage Assessment Underway
Following the incident, DIPR officials reached the site to assess the extent of the damage. Computers, official documents, and other equipment in the News Section are currently being inspected to evaluate any losses. No major property damage has been reported so far, though the inspection is still ongoing.
Heightened security measures have been implemented within the Secretariat premises in the aftermath of the fire.
Investigation Launched
Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire. While a short circuit appears to be the preliminary cause, officials stated that the exact reason will be confirmed only after the formal investigation report is submitted. Alongside the probe, the Secretariat's electrical infrastructure and safety arrangements are also being reviewed to prevent similar incidents in the future.
A Pattern of Concern: Second Such Incident at DIPR
Notably, this is not the first time a fire has broken out at the DIPR office within the Rajasthan Secretariat. A similar fire incident had occurred in June last year at the same department. On that occasion, fire brigade personnel stationed at the Secretariat managed to control the blaze after nearly half an hour of effort. The fire had remained confined to a single room, but reportedly damaged several important government files and furniture. A short circuit was also suspected to be the cause of that earlier fire.
The recurrence of a fire at the same department, with the same suspected cause, is likely to intensify scrutiny of the Secretariat's ageing electrical infrastructure and fire safety protocols. The outcome of the current investigation will be closely watched.
Point of View
Both traced to suspected short circuits, is not a coincidence — it is a systems failure. The Rajasthan Secretariat houses critical government records and functions, yet its electrical infrastructure appears to have gone unaddressed after the first incident. The real question is not what caused this fire, but why the June 2024 blaze did not trigger a comprehensive electrical audit. If the investigation this time produces only a report and no structural remediation, the next fire may not be so forgiving.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the fire break out on 9 May 2025?
The fire broke out in the News Section of the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) at the Rajasthan Secretariat in Jaipur on Saturday, 9 May 2025. It was triggered by a suspected short circuit in an electrical switchboard.
Were there any casualties in the Rajasthan Secretariat fire?
No casualties were reported in the fire. There were also no immediate reports of major property damage, though computers, official documents, and equipment are being inspected.
What is the suspected cause of the DIPR office fire?
A short circuit in an electrical switchboard is the preliminary suspected cause. However, officials stated the exact cause will be confirmed only after the formal investigation report is submitted.
Has a fire occurred at the DIPR Rajasthan Secretariat before?
Yes, a similar fire had occurred at the same DIPR office within the Rajasthan Secretariat in June last year. That fire was also linked to a suspected short circuit and reportedly damaged several important government files and furniture.
What steps are being taken after the fire?
Authorities have launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire. The Secretariat's electrical infrastructure and safety arrangements are also being reviewed to prevent similar incidents. Heightened security measures have been implemented on the premises.
