Liquor worth 80 lakhs in three lorries goes up in flames

According to the police, three trucks carrying the consignment arrived from Pudukkottai around 12.30 am. The drivers parked the vehicles inside the Tasmac godown at Orikai near Kancheepuram and went to sleep. About two hours later, around 2.30 am on Monday, the vehicles caught on fire, police said. By the time the staff and others noticed the fire, it had spread.

When they noticed it, the security guard and drivers tried to douse the fire but in vain. Later, they alerted the fire stations in Kancheepuram, and two fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the raging fire. It took two hours to bring the flames under control.

Police officers probing the case said they were looking at all angles, including whether the godown staff had any role in setting the vehicles on fire to settle scores. In all, liquor and beer bottles worth Rs 80 lakh were destroyed in the fire.

“It is also possible that somebody was trying to protest against the government on certain issues. The godown usually has three security personnel on duty during night hours. But on Sunday night, only one of them have reported to duty,” said an officer.

Police have registered a case, and are conducting inquiries with the security personnel at the godown.