Museum fire: Director registers case against unknown persons

A day after a massive fire gutted the National Museum of Natural History to ashes in the early hours of Tuesday, the Director of the Museum Dr B Venogopal has registered a case against unknown persons under Section 436 of IPC in connection with the fire incident.

Meanwhile, to assess the irreparable loss, five members of Crime Investigation Team visited the building to photograph the damage incurred. Present inside the dilapidated multi storey building, the team took pictures of the exhibits which have been burnt or partially damaged.

Burnt pages of the 15,000 plus books stocked in the fourth floor library were spotted outside the building. Many were lying strewn on Tansen Marg after a light thunderstorm ruffled through the museum complex. On the other hand, a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the museum later in the day. Senior police officials said that they are relying on the assessment of the FSL apart from assessment of the Delhi Fire Services.

According to the police, preliminary investigation suggests that Formaldehyde, a chemical used to protect exhibits (which is inflammable) has in all probability caused the inferno. 

The chemical is also used in the construction of museums. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), on the other hand, has refuted the allegations that responsibility of the mishap lies with them. Explaining how fire safety measures are taken care of for the 8,000 plus chambers who use the Federation building as well as the Auditorium on a regular basis, a FICCI official said that to prevent such a mishap, they always make sure that proper steps are taken in terms of security as well as fire hazards.

“The Museum was functioning in the building rented out by us. However, the maintenance and the fire safety arrangements of the museum building is not our prerogative. Once the building has been leased, the responsibility lies solely with the authorities of the museum. We, on the other hand, have always take care of the security hazards. Apart from the guards who keep an eye on the movement of the people who enter the premises, the guards are given clear instructions to make sure that no air-conditioners or lights are left on. Since the air-conditioning system is centralised, it is the responsibility of the administration and the security to ensure that all the connections are switched off,” said a senior FICCI official, requesting anonymity.

He further said: “Since the power connection of the entire FICCI complex is interconnected, we have cancelled or shifted the venue of several central ministry level meetings.”