CHENNAI: Four members of a family, including two children, died of asphyxiation after a fire broke out at a four-storey apartment in Vadapalani on Monday. The victims were sleeping in their house on the first floor when the fire broke out in the building’s parking lot.
IN PICS | Four, including two children, fall victim to fire accident in multi-storeyed apartment in Chennai
The deceased have been identified as Meenakshi (60) her daughter Selvi (45) and her grand children Sandhiya (10) and Sanjay (3).The building, which has a total of 27 flats, stables for cattle, a few shops and a printing press, was sealed by the corporation for violation of building plan norms. However, the owner, who had political connections, continued to rent the flats despite the building being sealed, authorities said.
According to preliminary investigations, the fire could have started from a short circuit in the electricity junction box in the parking lot of the building on South Perumal Kovil Street. Eight other people sustained injuries in the accident and are undergoing treatment at Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital.
According to the police, at least 20 motorbikes were burnt in the fire that started around 4.20 am. “Within minutes, smoke spread up to the second floor,” said a senior police officer. “The family on the first floor left their windows open and were in deep sleep. The smoke filled the entire house, suffocating them and rendering them unconscious.”
Meanwhile, other residents managed to escape by jumping over to neighbouring buildings. “I was woken up by a loud explosion and saw our apartment filled with smoke,” says Dhasarathan, a driver who stays on the second floor. “When I looked out of the window, I saw the parking lot on fire. I immediately woke my wife and children up and all of us jumped onto the terrace of the adjacent building.”
Though a ladder was arranged and a few others were rescued, the smoke was too thick for residents to enter the first floor. “We could not do anything except leave the building. Also, we did not know which houses were occupied. But as were trying to escape from the building we knocked on the doors asking people to leave,” said Karthick, who works at a private company in Porur.
The injured have been identified as Martin, 24, Thangam 22, Antony 14, Ayyappan 19, Panchaliyammal 60, Vijayalakshmi 41, Sridhar 60, and Deena Dhayalan 33.A senior police officer from the fingerprint bureau and officials from the electricity board reached the spot and investigated the scene.Tamil Nadu Electricity Board assistant engineer Ravi said an initial inquiry shows that a short circuit seems to be the cause of the fire, and a detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the exact reason. A case has been registered with the Vadapalani police station.
Dad throws 10-year-old off 2nd floor
Survivors narrated how a 10-year-old was dramatically saved when his father flung him from the second floor. “The boy landed on a bedsheet held by the neighbours and got away with a minor leg injury,” said M Karthikeyan, a resident of the building, adding that the boy has been discharged from hospital
Horror before dawn for residents
Basement
Parking area in which around 20 motorcycles were parked. The fire, said to have broken out due to short circuit, quickly spread to the motorcycles. The basement also had rooms to host cattle. There were three horses, two cows and one calf. One cow died and the others escaped. The steps to enter the apartment, which start from the basement, were blocked due the fire and intense smoke. So, firefighters and locals were unable to enter.
First floor
A total of eight flats, four each side of the corridor. Other flats were vacant and the victims were occupying the last flat on the right side. Five family members in this flat, who were apparently in deep sleep, become unconscious due to the smoke that entered the flat through the windows that were open. (Four of them later died and one is now in hospital).
Second floor
Two families, including a few children, were staying in two flats on this floor. They managed to place a ladder to the terrace of the next building on the right side and got out safely.
Third floor
Mostly bachelors were staying in the flats on this floor. A few of them jumped unto the terrace of the nearby building and others escaped through a staircase at the back of the building.
Timeline
4.20 to 4.30 am
Fire breaks out
4.50 to 5 am
Three fire tenders arrive
5.15 to 5.25 am
Ambulance arrives. Firemen manage to bring out five of a family, rush them to hospital
6.05 to 6.30 am
At the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, four declared dead; one survives. Eight others treated in the hospital for slight burns and other injuries