Dry grass lawn near Vellore fort set afire

The space in front of the old fish market on the other side of the Anna Salai, which abuts the moat of the Vellore fort, was in flames around 11 am. The grass was dry due to the rising temperature, which helped the fire spread swiftly. Sources said the fire was suspected to have been the handiwork of somemiscreants.

Passers-by who saw the blaze immediately alerted the Fire Service station situation about a kilometre away, from where a fire tender rushed to the spot. The personnel finally managed to put out the fire after considerable struggle.

When asked, ASI officials said they were awaiting a report from the horticultural wing. The latter would soon file a report about the incident after conducting a preliminary inquiry.

The fire in the heart of the town shocked locals, as it came just a few days after a similar case in which the vegetation on the hills in and around Chenganatham, about five kilometres from Vellore on the National Highway, were set ablaze by unidentified persons.