Autorickshaw gutted near Minjur as cartons of smuggled liquor catch fire

Chennai

The incident happened near the North Madras Thermal Power Plant and on noticing the fire, the driver fled the spot. Though Fire and Rescue Services was informed, the autorickshaw was completely gutted before it reached.

Inquiries revealed that the autorickshaw was speeding with several cartons of liquor bottles from Athipattu to Chennai and since the road was riddled with potholes, it is suspected the liquor leaked from broken bottles might have caused the fire.

A case has been registered and a hunt has been launched for the auto driver. Since the sale of liquor remains banned in Greater Chennai police limits for about three months, smuggling of liquor from Tiruvallur to the city is rampant.

Tasmac shops in Athipattu near Minjur are flooded with people from Chennai to buy liquor and some buy in bulk to sell in the black market for a bigger price.