Chennai Silks fire rages on for second day

City police register a case of accidental fire; cause of fire yet to be investigated

A major portion of seven-storeyed Chennai Silks building on Usman Road in T.Nagar, crumbled during the early hours of June 1, 2017, after a major fire engulfed the building on Wednesday.

On Wednesday around 14 persons, who were inside the building, were rescued by around 8 a.m and the fire had destroyed all goods stocked in the showroom by evening.

Almost 32 hours later, the fire brigade are still attempting to control the flames. The fire was triggered time and again thereby causing the front portion of the building to entirely collapse.

Though the estimated loss could not be immediately ascertained, sources said dress material worth several crores of rupees were gutted and gold jewellery and silver articles were beyond recovery. The estimated loss is Rs.420 crore.

Usman Road area has been barricaded and public and media are not allowed near the scene where mangled remains of the gutted building are seen.