Tura, April 12: The sub-post office in Tura Dakopgre area of town was totally destroyed in a fire that occurred late Sunday night which officials blame on postal workers who left a highly powered battery on overcharge the entire night.

Police have ruled out any arson attack because there was no forced entry and the fire is said to have started from inside, in the area where the battery was placed for charging.

The sub-post office, which functions from a rented Assam-type house is located between the Tura Employment Exchange office, the IFAD building and just across the residence of the CRPF officials.

“There was a report about a fire in the post office sometime around 2 AM and immediately fire, police and MeECL teams were rushed in. We found there was no forced entry and the fire had started inside. Our fire brigade was able to douse the flames within a few minutes and on entry of the site for inspection found that someone had left a high-powered battery device on charge,” says SP Dr. MG Raghavendra Kumar.

The fire destroyed almost everything inside the office.

According to the police chief, the high-powered battery that was left unattended and overcharged is usually used by post officials to conduct online transactions.

“Though there is no indication of a break-in or arson attack, we have filed an FIR,” stated the SP and added that polling has been peaceful with no untoward incidents and no obstruction or burning of tyres by those groups opposed to the polls.