The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Huts gutted in Koyambedu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Huts gutted in Koyambedu

Staff Reporter

Seven fire engines used to put out the flames; church suffers damage

CHENNAI: A fire destroyed about 20 huts in Koyambedu Colony on Bajanai Koil Street in Koyambedu on Tuesday. A church was also blackened.

Residents said that around 10.30 a.m. they smelt smoke and ran out of their huts. Fire service personnel said a spark from a log used for cooking could have caused the fire.

Seven fire engines were pressed into service to put out the fire, which raged for about an hour.

Narrow lanes

Eyewitnesses said the narrow, congested lanes made it difficult for the firemen to reach the burning huts. Some of the damaged huts were built only two months ago, residents said. "The church was constructed when I was a child. It is distressing to see it charred," said a middle-aged woman, pointing to the blackened building. Kumaran, who phoned the Fire Services Department, said the fire, fanned by winds, spread to nearby huts.

Relief for victims

Villivakkam MLA P. Ranganathan handed over Rs. 2,000 each to the affected families.

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