Massive fire destroys machinery, goods at mattress manufacturing unit in Kovai

The mattress making unit cum godown, owned by one Subramaniam on Vedapatty-Perur Road had caught fire around 3 am.

“Subramaniam who resides in a house adjacent to the unit woke up sensing something amiss and came out to find his godown in flames. He immediately alerted the employees staying there and they together attempted to douse the raging fire by pouring water,” police said.

However, the fire began to spread fast and spread to four vans loaded with mattress and pillows to be delivered to customers.

On receiving information, the fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot in three fire tenders and began to douse the fire.

More than 20 fire service personnel battled hard for over six hours to bring the raging fire under control.

After preliminary inquiries, police suspect an electric short circuit to be the reason behind the fire break out.

“All the machinery, cotton bales and finished products have been burnt to ashes, besides four stationed vans loaded with goods. The building has also been damaged in the raging fire. The loss was estimated to be more than one crore,” police said.

Officials of the revenue department and VAO also visited the scene to take stock of the damaged properties. The Vadavalli police have registered a case and further inquiries are on.

Meanwhile in Vellore, computer spares worth several lakhs of rupees was destroyed in a fire that broke out at a private showroom on Tiruvalluvar Street at Arakkonam in the early hours of Friday.

Gajendaran (36), the owner, had locked the showroon on Thursday night and left home.

Around 5 am on Friday, locals noticed smoke emanating from the showroom and alerted Gajendran and fire services.

A fire service team of fire service team reached the spot and put out the fire, but by then the whole shop was reduced to ashes.

Arakkonam town police have registered a case and are investigating.