CHENNAI: A major fire broke out at the GST Commissioner's office located in Anna Nagar on Sunday morning. Fortunately, no person was injured or affected in the fire.

According to the police, the fire started at 8.30 am and spread. Thick smoke billowed out through the windows, attracting the attention of a passerby, after which the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) personnel were alerted.

Six fire tenders from Egmore, Kilpauk and Anna Nagar arrived at the scene, and after an ordeal that lasted over four hours, the blaze was brought under control.

"As it was a Sunday, there were no officials and staff at the premises, and a possible mishap was averted. However, there was property damage on the first floor," a fire services official said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that an electrical short circuit in the ground-floor canteen triggered the fire. The Tirumangalam police have registered a case and are investigating.