The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Fire destroys over 20 houses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 09, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fire destroys over 20 houses

Staff Reporter

No one injured but property destroyed in blaze near Corporation Stadium, Nungambakkam

CHENNAI: Over 20 houses, including thatched structures atop concrete buildings, were gutted in a fire at the crowded Vaikuntapuram in Nungambakkam near the Corporation stadium on Thursday morning.

A couple of houses nearby were also damaged in the blaze, according to the Fire and Rescue Service personnel.

"No one is injured. But we have lost everything," said Muniamma, whose daughter's place was one of the first to catch fire.

According to shopkeeper S. Raju, four thatched structures atop a concrete house caught fire first around 8.45 a.m. "I leaned out hearing cries for help. Then the thatched structure collapsed on top of four huts next to the house. I ran out because I could not bear the heat," he recalled.

According to the fire service personnel at the spot, a gas cylinder burst after the rooftop structures landed on four huts.

"It took us an hour to control the fire, which had then spread to similar structures in and around the area following strong wind. The fire could have been started by some unattended stove in the kitchen," said an official. Five fire tenders and 10 Metrowater lorries were pressed into service. According to the Thousand Lights police, 28 structures were razed. A case has been registered and investigations are on.

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