ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: Fire erupted on the third floor of National Assembly building in the early hours on Friday. The cause of fire is stated to be short-circuiting.

However, the fire brigade department of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) took control over the fire.

The secretary of the National Assembly, director-general (services) of the CDA and other senior officials rushed to the spot and witnessed the fire fighting operation.

The interior minister, Makhdoom Faisal Salah Hayyat, taking serious notice of the incident ordered an inquiry, a source told Dawn.

He said it was the second incident in the parliament building, which showed that the authority had not taken effective measures to avoid such incidents in future.

Stressing the need for better fire fighting system in the capital, the minister directed the authority to pursue its demand made for the acquisition of modern fire fighting machinery so that the required amount could be released by the government.

The source said the fire which broke out at 5 am gutted power supply lines of third floor of the building causing suspension of power supply.

During a briefing at the CDA headquarter, the interior secretary, Tasneem Noorani, said a similar incident had also taken place in the Sindh Assembly building.

He ordered for the replacement of burnt power cable in the parliament building so that the power supply at the third floor could be restored.

The spokesman for the CDA confirmed the fire incident saying that no loss of life and property was reported.

He said it was the second incident in the parliament building. The first incident occurred in November 1993 when the entire building was gutted, he added.

After the first incident, over Rs188 million were spent on the renovation of parliament building.

However, irregularities of serious nature involving Rs133.457 million were detected in renovation work of parliament building.

APP ADDS: According to Iesco Press release on Friday, the fire was brought under control immediately as the circuit breaker tripped timely.

As soon as the news of fire was received, the Iesco staff reached the site and took necessary measures for smooth supply of power in Parliament House.