Education Ministry Debunks Viral Office Fire Claims

The Ministry of Education said on June 1 that social media posts and some media reports wrongly described a fire in central Delhi as a blaze at the ministry’s office. The ministry said its headquarters is at Kartavya Bhavan-2 on Dr Rajendra Prasad Road, while the incident took place at the School of Planning and Architecture campus at Indraprastha Estate on Vikas Marg near ITO. The clarification came after videos of smoke and firefighting operations circulated online and some early reports identified the site as a Ministry of Education office. Delhi Fire Services said no casualties were reported and the blaze was brought under control by about 11 a.m. ### Where did the fire actually happen? The ministry said the fire occurred at the School of Planning and Architecture, or SPA, at 4-Block B, Indraprastha Estate, Vikas Marg, ITO, and not at Kartavya Bhavan-2. In its statement, the ministry said “certain media reports” had incorrectly stated that a fire broke out in the Ministry of Education office. (hindustantimes.com) Kartavya Bhavan-2 is the ministry’s stated office address on Dr Rajendra Prasad Road in New Delhi. The ministry said it issued the clarification to prevent the spread of misinformation about the incident. ### Why did the confusion spread so quickly? ANI and other outlets initially described the blaze as a fire at a Ministry of Education office on Vikas Marg, and videos from the scene showed smoke pouring from an upper floor as firefighters worked outside the building. (hindustantimes.com) Later reports said the affected premises were within the SPA campus, which appears to have contributed to the confusion over whether the ministry’s main office had been hit. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, reacted to the early reports by calling the news “very concerning” and “also very fishy,” according to accounts that reproduced his social media post. The ministry’s statement followed later the same day and rejected the description of the site as its headquarters. (deccanherald.com) ### What did fire officials say happened? Delhi Fire Services said the fire broke out on the second floor of the School of Planning and Architecture building near the PWD headquarters on the morning of June 1. Fire officials said they received the call at about 9:37 a.m. and sent multiple fire tenders to the site. (deccanherald.com) The initial response, according to reports citing fire officials, included water tenders, a water bowser, breathing apparatus support and senior fire officers. Firefighters began operations soon after arriving, and officials later said the blaze had been controlled by around 11 a.m. (hindustantimes.com) ### Was there any damage or anyone hurt? The ministry said the fire was “minor in nature” and was quickly brought under control. It also said no loss of life or property had been reported. Delhi Fire Services separately said no injuries were reported. Details on the extent of any damage were not immediately available in the reports reviewed. (hindustantimes.com) Some reports mentioned unconfirmed speculation about an air-conditioner blast, but no official cause had been announced. ### What is the key fact readers should keep straight? (hindustantimes.com) The clearest distinction in the ministry’s account is between Kartavya Bhavan-2 and the SPA campus near ITO. The ministry’s statement said the incident was confined to SPA premises and “had no connection” with its office at Kartavya Bhavan. (hindustantimes.com) Delhi Fire Services said authorities were working to ascertain the cause of the fire after bringing it under control on June 1. Any formal update on the cause or damage would be expected from fire officials or the ministry in subsequent statements. (hindustantimes.com)