Chennai

The deceased was identified as R Govindarajan (49), who had set up the ashram more than 15 years ago.

The police noted that they haven’t ascertained the cause for the fire. Police personnel suspect that the fire from the woods may have spread to the paint boxes kept in the room while he was performing pooja. Govindarajan suffered 90 per cent burns and the devotee, V Lavanya (50), a resident of Shenoy Nagar, suffered minor burns. She was admitted to a government hospital in Tiruvallur.

Govindarajan, from Nanganallur in Chennai, shifted to and settled in the Tiruvallur village 17 years ago. Later, he set up his ashram there. He was practicing Siddha, yoga and astrology. The police said that there are evidence pointing to an explosion in the room. It had ash on the floor and even on the walls, while some paint was also seen splashed on the floor. According to the police, the fire accident was reported at the 20X10 ft hall while Lavanya was in the kitchen cleaning vessels. The fire broke out at 6.15 pm.

There are three rooms on the first floor of the building and Govindarajan was living in one of the rooms. A police team and forensic experts visited the scene and collected evidence. The team also questioned Lavanya.

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