India, May 25 -- A fire broke out at the Gurugram district court complex on Sunday morning, damaging a portion of the lower court building and triggering panic after part of the structure collapsed during firefighting operations, officials said.

According to fire department officials, the blaze was first noticed in the record room of the lower court premises, where thick smoke and flames were seen rising early in the morning. Lawyers passing through the complex alerted the fire department and court security staff around 10am, officials said.

Initially, three fire tenders were rushed to the spot, but as the fire spread within the building, additional engines were deployed. By afternoon, nearly 20 fire tenders from across Gurugram were en...