Major fire mishap averted in T Nagar shopping complex

Around 2.30 am, smoke started emanating from the third floor of Asthi Towers which is located at the junction of Ranganathan Street and Rameswaram Street, near Mambalam railway station. Fire control room received an alert by the staff of the commercial complex after which fire engines from three stations — Saidapet, T Nagar and Teynampet — were rushed to the spot. 

The fire was brought under control after 30 minutes. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) officials said that the building belongs to a popular retail chain and the fire broke out at the third floor where the kitchen of a snack shop is located. It is said that the staff worked late hours on Monday to cater to Deepavali orders and might have left without switching off the high-voltage heat-emitting lights leading to the fire. Apart from kitchen equipment, there were no other major damages. However, even a few minutes of delay would have made it a bigger accident, said sources. 

Meanwhile, TNFRS department has advised people to buy fireworks from licensed shops and asked children to burst crackers wearing cotton clothes besides using shoes and getting help from elders. It has also asked not to burst crackers before 6 am and after 10 pm.