CISF braveheart dies saving others from inferno

New Delhi: A heroic 57-year-old Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) sub-inspector died while saving other people from a major fire at the office of the Ministry of Social Justice in South Delhi's CGO Complex on Wednesday.

The deceased identified as MP Godara died in the fire on the fifth floor of Pandit Deendayal Antodaya Bhawan, previously known as Paryavaran Bhawan. "We lost a braveheart. He went inside to rescue people but during the evacuation process MP Godara inhaled toxic gas and fell unconscious. He was taken to the hospital but tragically died," Hemendra Singh, Public Relations Officer (CISF) told Millennium Post.

"The force will be indebted for his selfless sacrifice at the altar of duty. He was Ex-Air Force Personnel and joined CISF as Sub-Inspector Exe in 2008," said CISF official.

The fire department received a call about the fire at 8:34 am and 25 tenders were rushed, Delhi Fire Services officials said. A fire officer who went inside for the rescue operation told this newspaper that the deceased

sub inspector's body was

found in the gallery on the fifth floor.

"We had to deal with heavy smoke throughout the building, we were able to keep the fire contained to the floor and assisted multiple occupants out of the building," said the official adding that there were a lot of wooden structures and documents inside, which may have helped the fire spread.

According to a CISF spokesperson, Godara, a resident of Churu district in Rajasthan is survived by two sons and wife who live in Churu.

Ministry officials said 80 per cent of the entire B1 wing of the building has been gutted in the fire and several files and documents have been destroyed. A ministry official said it was difficult to say about the damage, "but surely several files and documents may have been destroyed".

"An assessment can be done once we go inside," the official said. Offices of the drinking water and sanitation ministry, forest ministry and a branch of the Indian Air Force are located in the building.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Vijay Kumar stated that the fire apparently caused due to short circuit. Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 436 (Mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) and 304 A (Causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code.