Sunday, November 25, 2012

Catholic newspaper’s office gutted


The office of the Mumbai archdiocese’s newspaper The Examiner was gutted in fire last week.

The fire in the office, which was located in the Eucharistic Congress Building in Colaba, is believed to have originated from the air-conditioner in the editor’s office.

The fire was discovered when Father Anthony Charangat, the editor, entered his first floor office a little before noon and noticed smoke coming out of the air-conditioner.

“The fire caused extensive damage to equipment and books, though no causalities were reported,” said P.S. Rahangdale, deputy chief fire officer.

The exact loss has not been calculated yet.

The Archdiocesan Catholic Communication Centre, which is adjacent to the newspaper’s office also suffered considerable loss of equipment in the fire.

The Eucharistic Congress Building is a multi-storeyed structure housing both offices and residences, constructed some time after the 38th International Eucharistic Congress was held in Mumbai in 1964 under Pope Paul VI.

The Examiner, one of the oldest publications of its kind in the country, has been located here for 22 years after shifting from The Examiner Press building on Dalal Street.

It is likely that the office will be shifted back to the old premises while repairs and renovations are carried out.