Around 30 employees of a bed-making unit at Kolatheri near Walajah town in Ranipet on Chennai – Bengaluru Highway (NH 44) escaped unhurt after fire broke out in the unit on Friday, resulting in thick smoke in the area.
Police said that it was around 11 am when N. Sankaran, owner, went to his unit as part of his routine patrol of the facility, noticed thick smoke coming from the unit. Immediately, along with other employees and residents, he tried to douse the fire but the fire spread to the entire unit, which is around 5,000 sq.ft.
Based on alert, a 20-member fire fighters’ team from Ranipet SIPCOT and Arcot rushed to the spot. Before firefighters could reach the spot, fire spread to the entire godown. After nearly three hours, fire fighters doused it. They also safely rescued trapped employees in the unit.
However, the entire facility got completely gutted. Tonnes of cotton rolls, waste cloth material and machinery that were estimated around Rs 30 lakhs were destroyed in the accident.
Residents complained of severe eye irritation especially among children and senior citizens due to smoke from the unit. A case was registered by Walajah police. Police said an electrical short circuit from the main electrical board inside the unit might be the reason for the incident. A probe is underway.
Published – April 11, 2025 11:53 pm IST
