The Secretariat’s fire-damaged Building 7 reopened on Sunday, January 5, allowing officials and staff to resume work after a devastating fire disrupted operations. The nine-story building, which suffered significant damage to four floors during the incident, has now opened its remaining five floors for office activities.

The fire, one of the most catastrophic in the Secretariat's history, broke out late at night on December 25, a government holiday, engulfing several floors. Four levels of the building, which housed key government offices such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Post and Telecommunications Division, the Local Government Division, the Rural Development and Cooperative Division, and the Roads and Highways Department, were severely affected.

While the restoration process is ongoing, officials reported that many parts of the building still bear the scars of the fire. On-site observations revealed ash-stained floors and soot-covered walls, especially on the second floor. The building’s elevators remain non-operational, though electricity has been restored. However, the water supply to the structure is still disrupted.

Since the fire, access to the Secretariat has been strictly controlled. Until today, only advisors, secretaries, and investigators were permitted entry into the premises. Law enforcement officials barred others from entering Building 7 to facilitate investigations and ensure safety. Starting Sunday, all officials and employees can now enter the building, with some restrictions still in place. Only the Public Works Department officials are allowed access to floors above the fifth level, as repair and inspection activities continue in these severely damaged areas.

The reopening also marks a relaxation of previous restrictions on vehicle access to the Secretariat. Previously, only vehicles belonging to advisors and secretaries were permitted to enter the premises. From today, the vehicles of other officials and employees are also allowed, signaling a return to more routine operations.

Despite these measures, remnants of the disaster remain evident. The lower floors of Building 7 have resumed functioning, but the extensive damage to the upper levels will require considerable time for complete restoration. Emergency response teams and construction crews are working to clean and secure the affected areas.

The fire incident, which shocked the country, has raised concerns about fire safety measures and preparedness in government buildings. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, with several agencies involved in assessing the damage and determining accountability. The government has promised to enhance safety measures across all Secretariat buildings to prevent such occurrences in the future.

The reopening of Building 7, albeit partial, comes as a significant relief for employees who have been displaced from their offices since the incident. It also represents a step toward normalizing activities in one of the country’s most critical administrative hubs.