An entire collection of rare historical books and some records of the erstwhile Dhrangadhra state are feared to have gutted in fire that broke out at Ajit Niwas Palace in Dhrangadhra of Surendranagar district on Tuesday night.

A short circuit is believed to be the cause of the fire, according to the Dhrangadhra city police.

The police said it was a major fire and Army jawans were pressed into service along with the local fire brigade to douse the flames.

“It took them more than seven hours to bring the fire under control,” said Yogesh Shah, Dhrangadhra Municipality Chief Officer.

According to a complaint lodged by Girish Vaghela, caretaker of the palace,

rare collections of literature and records related to the erstwhile state have reduced to ashes in the fire that broke out in the library adjacent to the main palace building.

Nearly 100-year-old furniture also reportedly gutted in the incident.

The heir of the royal family Shri Ram Meghraji and his younger brother Siddhrajsinhji stay at the century-old palace with their families.