CHENNAI: A fire broke out in the godown of Ambika Enterprises, a home appliances firm, at Vanagaram on Wednesday afternoon, damaging goods worth around `17 lakh, police said. An electric short circuit is believed to have caused the blaze, but the exact reason is still unknown. There was no casualty.
“Around eight fire tenders took about five hours to douse the fire,” said a fire and rescue officer.
Police who were at the spot said the staff first noticed the fumes and in few minutes the fire spread to the entire godown burning the stored goods. As the roofs were of asbestos sheets and there were many home appliances including induction stoves, air coolers and air conditioner, they caught fire easily.
The employees were immediately evacuated from the company and the power supply to the godown was turned off.
“It was difficult to douse the fire as the plastic melted and was stuck to the sides of the godown which led to more thick black fumes. It took almost five hours and 50 fire personnel to put off the fire. Fire and rescue services from Ambattur, Maduravoyal, Koyambedu, Poonamallee, JJ Nagar and Kilpauk came to fight the blaze,” added the fire rescue officer.
Most passers-by at Maduravoyal bypass saw thick black fumes billowing from the godown. The pungent odour unnerved local residents. Motorists were seen taking videos that soon went viral on social media. “The company was very close to other chemical firms, but the fire and rescue personnel ensured that the flames did not spread to them,” said the police officer.
A case has been registered with the Maduravoyal police station and further probe is underway.