CHENNAI: Some files and computers in the Chennai railway divisional auditing, electrical and accounts departments were gutted in a fire on Tuesday. The fire was spotted by railway cleaning staff around 8.30 am on the fourth floor of NGO annexe building, which houses the office of the railway division in the Southern Railway headquarters complex on EVR Periyar Road.
The fire engulfed the divisional auditor’s room and in two other rooms of electrical and accounts departments. The three rooms were situated next to the divisional railway manager’s (DRM) room. The railway workers tried to control the raging blaze, but in vain. Some files, stationery items and computers were destroyed.
Fire and rescue services personnel doused the flames by 9.30 am. Officials suspect that the fire was due to an electric short-circuit. However, railways have ordered an inquiry into the incident. “The CCTV footage of divisional railway manager’s office complex has been retrieved and examined to ascertain the cause of the accident,” said railway officials.
An official release said no railway personnel was injured in the fire. Railway officials remained tight-lipped on the damage caused to files and computers. Periamet police are investigating.