20200229 Chennai: Fire guts logistics company in Madhavaram, no one injured
India Feb 29 2020 “Building” “Other bldg.”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Chennai: Fire guts logistics company in Madhavaram, no one injured
Updated: 2020–03–01
CHENNAI: A major fire broke out at a logistics firm on Erukkancherry High Road in Madhavaram on Saturday afternoon, gutting the unit completely. No one was injured in the blaze that was triggered by an electrical short circuit in a storage unit, fire personnel said.
At least 500 personnel using 26 fire tenders from the city and Tiruvallur district managed to bring the blaze under control by 9pm. However, the operation would last another 10 hours and fire-fighters would remain at the spot to pump more foam to cool the place, an officer said.
A senior fire officer said the firm didn’t have any safety gadgets – emergency fire extinguisher, water sump or hose reels.
UP IN SMOKE: About 500 personnel using 26 fire tenders brought the blaze, triggered by a short circuit, under control by 9pm
Logistics firm owner claims loss is more than ₹100 crore
Around 3pm, a guard spotted the fire in a storage unit and called fire and rescue services. There were about 30 people, including 10 staff of the firm, at the facility where more than 150 barrels of thinner and other inflammable material were stored.
C Sylendra Babu (DGP), additional in charge of fire and rescue services, quoted Ranjit, owner of the ill-fated GRR Logistics, as saying the loss could be more than ₹100 crore, but fire department personnel said they were yet to ascertain the damage. The first team of rescuers evacuated the workers and staff and cordoned off the place. “The firm is close to the Madhavaram mofussil bus terminus,” he said.
As the fire raged, loud explosions rent the air, catapulting debris and drums on to the terraces of adjacent buildings and thick smoke blanketed the area comprising industrial units and godowns. The officer said, “We used foam tenders instead of water to put out the fire. We have six foam tenders and brought two from Chennai airport and CPCL in Manali.”
While the covered portion of the firm is spread over 10,000sq ft, another 10,000sq ft of open space served as a storehouse. Huge trucks and lorries would enter directly to the roof- covered storage units and unload goods and valaubles, while others dumped in open storage units. Police commissioner A K Viswanathan, additional commissioner (north) R Dhinakaran and others monitored the fire-fighting operation.
Web Source: The times of India