Fire in mill doused after hours of battle

According to sources, workers of a private cotton mill located in Pudhupatti near Madhuranthakam closed the unit and went home on Sunday evening after the day’s work. 

A few hours later, fire broke out in the godown of the mill where raw materials were stored. Aided by strong winds in the area, the blaze started spreading to other rooms of the mill. Within a few minutes, the entire premises of the mill was on fire and thick smoke that billowed out engulfed nearby areas also. 

The security guards immediately alerted the fire and rescue service personnel and also sent word to the management. 

Sources said initially fire service personnel from Madhuranthakam reached the spot and tried to put out the blaze. As they found it to be a tough job, fire tenders from four other stations Accharapakkam, Chengalpattu, Maraimalainagar and Uthiramerur also joined the operation. 

However, the fire continued to rage as the winds did not show sign of withdrawal. 

The battle by fire service personnel that commenced sometime in the night continued till dawn. 

Finally, the personnel managed to put out the blaze only after day break. 

By the time the entire operation was completed, all the goods and other materials kept on the complex were completely reduced to ashes. 

Initial inquiries revealed that the goods, both finished and unfinished, worth to the tune of several lakhs were completely destroyed in the fire. Similarly, furniture electrical equipment, machinery, etc., were also gutted. 

The accident is reportedly caused by a short circuit in an electrical connection, sources said. Fortunately, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone. Madhuranthakam police have registered a case and are investigating.