Four trapped as building collapses in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, June 9 (IANS) At least four people, including two firemen, were trapped under debris after a building collapsed in Chandigarh's commercial hub of Sector 17 Sunday night, police said. It is feared that the trapped people may have died.

The building, which housed the government-run National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIEIT) had caught fire Sunday evening after a blast in the air-conditioning unit that was being repaired.

Rescue officials at the site said that efforts were being made to locate the trapped people.

Being a Sunday, the computer centre was closed for staff and trainees.

Police said that a major portion of the building collapsed from the raging fire. Several fire tenders from Chandigarh and adjoining areas were pressed into service to contain the blaze.

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The local administration later called the army for rescue operations.

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