New Delhi, July 23 - A section officer and a peon of the science and technology ministry suffocated to death Thursday in a major fire that broke out in the third floor of Anusandhan Bhawan, that houses the ministry, near Parliament House.

About 50 people, including senior officials of the ministry, were in the building when the fire erupted at 7 p.m. gutting a portion of the fourth floor of the structure.

Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan's office is on the second floor of the building.

Seven people were found unconscious due to suffocation and were rushed to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Satish Kumar, 45, a peon and K.B. Joshi, 45, section officer, were declared brought dead, said an official of Delhi Fire Service.

Five others, including a TV cameraman, were admitted to the hospital.

'The fire erupted from an AC duct which spread to the entire floor,' the official said.

At least 14 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and flames could only be doused after nearly two hours of fire-fighting, he said.

The officials said the reason of the fire could not be ascertained immediately.