The Hindu : Fire at cineplex sparks tension

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fire at cineplex sparks tension

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JAN. 17. Tension prevailed on Friday midnight at a cineplex located off Anna Salai after a popcorn vending machine in the lobby caught fire.

Smoke from the machine spilled into one of the theatres, taking those watching the Hindi movie there by surprise. According to a software professional who went along with his family members to the movie, "many in the audience rushed out almost causing a stampede near the only exit gate that was available to us." Poor lighting inside the hall added to the panic, even as the screening was stopped for about 30 minutes.

Complaining that established safety practices of either sounding an alarm or making a public announcement during fire were not followed, he said movie goers panicked as they were reminded of the fire at the Uphaar cinema hall in New Delhi, in which hundreds died.

Confirming that a (fire) call was reported from the complex at around 00-19 hours, sources in the Fire and Rescue Services department said the popcorn machine was located on the second floor. Employees of the theatre, however, put out the fire, before a fire tender from the Teynampet station reached the complex.

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