THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: According to the report of the Kerala Fire Force, the fire at the public administration wing in the secretariat was caused by a fan running continuously. Following this, the plastic part near the motor melted and fell on to the window curtain and papers on the shelf, causing the fire.

A staff at minister K Krishnankutty's office was the first to spot the fire. The fire force unit at the secretariat opened the room's door which caused more damage as air entered a room filled with smoke. This is written in fire force chief R Sreelekha's report to the government.