Panic gripped Pattaravakkam near Ambattur Industrial Estate on Tuesday evening after thick smoke engulfed the area following a major fire in the production unit of a paint company.
According to police, the fire broke out around 7 p.m. and short circuit is suspected to be the cause.
However, no casualty was reported.
At least 20 fire tenders from different fire stations were rushed to the area to put out the blaze.
Sources in the company said that a few workers ere inside the factory when the fire broke out. The emergency alarm was sounded and they ran out of the premises.
Traffic at standstill
The incident brought the traffic in the area to a halt for sometime as vehicles were stopped one km from the factory.
Later, most of the vehicles were asked to take a diversion.
The heat from the fire was felt around half a km away. Power supply was also cut in the area.
Personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services battled for over three hours to put out the fire.
Police sources said that investigations were launched into the incident..
