Rudrapur, Aug. 29 -- A heritage structure in Nainital district of Uttarakhand was reduced to ashes after a massive firebroke out, leaving one person dead and triggering a large-scale firefighting operationthat last around two-and-a-half hours, police said onThursday. The blaze erupted in the multi-storeyed Old London House, considered a landmark from the British era, inMallital market area of the district at around 9.45pm on Wednesday. Officials said the fire spread rapidly, engulfing the structure within minutes. Over half a dozen fire tenders from Nainital, Haldwani, Ramnagar, Bhimtal, Almora and US Nagar were deployed, along with firefighting units from the Army and the Air Force. Teams of the NDRF and SDRF also joined the operation, which brought the fire under control around midnight, they added. One person was killed in the incident, with officials suspected the victim to be Shanta Devi. The deceased, the sister of historian Ajay Rawat, lived at the Old London House with her son Nikhil. Quoting witnesses, officials said that locals managed to rescue Nikhil, but were unable enter other rooms as the inferno intensified. Later, rescue teams recovered a charred body believed to be that of Shanta Devi. "The fire was massive, and the cause will be determined after investigation. One casualty has been reported. All possible relief will be extended to the family," Kumaon inspector general of police (IGP) Riddhim Agarwal said. Police said that the charred remains have been sent for post-mortem to confirm the victim's identity. "We have ordered an inquiry into the incident. The possibility of a short circuit or negligence will be looked into. A safety audit of other old buildings in the city will also be carried out," Nainital senior superintendent of police (SSP) PN Meena said....