A huge quantity of lubricant oil was destroyed in a massive fire that broke out in a godown in Nagalkeni near Tambaram on Saturday evening.
According to policemen and personnel of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, a live ‘rocket' firecracker that had landed in the godown of a popular lubricant oil company was reportedly the cause of the fire.
Elaborating, personnel at Shankar Nagar police station said they received a call from residents of Nagalkeni about a sudden explosion and subsequent fire in the godown located on Chromepet-Tiruneermalai Road. Meanwhile, a couple of fire tenders and personnel from the Emergency Rescue Team from Tambaram Fire Station reached the spot.
Several tonnes of lubricant oil for automobiles were stored in cans and drums in the godown. As it was the festival season, it was a holiday only a couple of security men were present.
They said the security men first noticed the explosion and fire and rushed to the spot in a bid to put it out.
The fire spread rapidly and alarmed residents called up the policemen. More than a dozen fire tenders and water tankers of Chennai Metrowater and private tankers were pressed into service.
The fire was brought under control, but was not put out as late as 10 p.m. The damage to the lubricants stored in the godown was termed as near total. Detailed investigations would be carried out once the fire was put out completely to establish the exact cause. Residents living close to the godown were asked to leave their homes as a precautionary measure.
