Fire at Vellore godown, biz rivalry suspected

According to the officials, the fire was noticed around 3 am at the godown located in the Thottapalayam area of the town. Subsequently, the locals informed the fire service. The godown was owned by Saravanan of Sathuvachari and it also stocked coffee, wheat and atta.

While Saravanan had locked the godown and gone home on Friday night, the sudden fire breakout in the early hours of Saturday has raised suspicion that the fire could have been the result of business rivalry.

As Vellore fire units were unable to contain the blaze, fire units from Katpadi, Ranipet and Arcot were rushed to the spot, following which, the blaze was brought under control. Further, an earth mover was used to demolish part of the wall of the building to enable firemen to reach the fire spot quicker.

As many as 10 two-wheelers parked inside the godown were gutted in the fire, beside stocked goods and other property. Further, the police said that there were no fire-fighting equipment present inside the godown premises. Vellore north police have registered a case in this connection and investigation is on.