A massive fire that erupted within the premises of India’s national parliament, the centre of New Delhi, on Sunday has been contained, but is yet to be doused, NDTV reports quoting fire officials.  

Smoke could be seen billowing above the red sandstone boundary wall of the Parliament complex as police tried to clear the streets around the building.

Some 30 officers and 11 fire trucks were fighting the blaze which a top officer said started at 2:21pm (0851 GMT) and was contained about 20 minutes later.

‘It is not yet fully doused. The fire appears to be surrounded by the (fire brigades) and it has not been allowed to spread,’ Delhi Fire Service director A.K Sharma told the NDTV network.  

It was not immediately clear exactly where the fire had broken out, but it was not thought to be inside the main parliament building itself.

The imposing building, opened in 1927 and designed by British architect Edwin Lutyens, was closed on a Sunday with few staff thought to be inside.