India, Aug. 18 -- A fire broke out at Aayakar Bhavan, the Income Tax Department's office at Churchgate, on Monday afternoon, sending thick smoke through the six-storey building and prompting over a thousand employees to rush outside. There were no casualties or injuries.

The fire, classified as Level II or major, was reported at 2:01pm. Although it was confined to the basement, employees said smoke spread rapidly through the upper floors. They gathered outside as firefighting operations continued.

The BMC said the fire ignited electrical wiring and other electrical installations, records stored in cabins, scrap material, discarded records, paper stock and wooden partitions. Fire brigade sources said the fire is suspected to have been ca...