Fire tenders outside the Abirami Mega Mall. A short circuit is said to have sparked the blaze.
A smoke-filled Swarna Sakthi Abirami cinema hall. A security guard found an electric unit smoking.
Before a technician could be summoned, the smoke turned to flame, first charring the eatery and damaging parts of the hall itself.
Before the hour turned, fire personnel arrived at the spot. Smoke had engulfed the wing.
With support from Metro Water lorries, the fire was put out within 30 minutes.
No one was injured. The time of the accident meant there were very people in the building.
Once the smoke settled, however, uncomfortable questions regarding fire safety norms begin to rise.
An investigation by Secretariat Colony police is on, but the truth about building safety in the city needs no sifting.