The bungalow of Singla tea garden’s manger was reduced to ashes in a fire on Sunday evening, but it was not clear the blaze was accidental.

The garden where work has been suspended since January 9 is located 15km from here.

“The incident took place in broad day light (around 4.30pm). We are told that not many tried to douse flames. So, questions do arise,” said an official of the Jayshree Group of Companies which runs this garden.

Fire brigade officers said they were investigating but were not sure of the reason.

“We reached the spot after one-and-a-half hours. The terrain is difficult. There was scarcity of water. There was nothing much to salve,” said a fire officer. “There was an electricity connection to the bungalow. So some are talking about short circuit, but we cannot pinpoint the reason at this very moment.”

An assistant manger of the garden, Om Prakash Chotiya, was attacked by a labourer with a sharp weapon after the suspension of work had been announced. The estate with 200 hectares under tea cultivation employs 600-odd workers.

Whenever a tea garden closes, workers and union leaders irrespective of political affiliations make it clear that the assets of the estate need to be protected.

A former tea planter said: “The bigger question is whether workers are no longer interested in protecting tea garden assets. This is something that needs to be explored, even though the cause of the fire is unknown.”

Another tea garden official said a factory of a closed garden in Darjeeling had been burnt down some years ago.

“Who did it and why, or was it just an accident, is a serious issue,” said another official.

Dinesh Roka, the manager, was on leave, before the suspension of work. “But he had not taken everything. His loss is irreplaceable,” said a source.

Fire officials said the bungalow had two feet of concrete wall while the rest was woodwork.