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 May 31, 2017. Around 14 persons, who were inside the building, were rescued and the fire had destroyed all goods stocked in the showroom by evening.
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.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Udumalai K. Radhakrishnan said that the showroom in T. Nagar has been violating norms ever since its construction in 2000. It was an illegal construction from the time it was built. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) granted approval only for ground and four floors. Though authorities demolished three floors following violations, the building owner managed to obtain interim orders against the action from the High Court, he explained.
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.
