Chennai: Hut destroyed in cracker fire from campaign

Chennai: A hut, on the terrace of a house, where an ice cream vendor lived with his family went up in flames at Mangalapuram in Irumbuliyur near Tambaram on Wednesday. The fire was triggered by bursting of crackers during DMK candidate SR Raja's visit to the area seeking votes.

DMK men were bursting crackers to welcome S. R. Raja in the area when a cracker went up and fell on Kannappan hut's thatched roof. He was out selling ice cream while his family members were on the street to have a look at the DMK candidate. By the time the people noticed the fire, half the hut was already in flames.

When the fire tender arrived from Tambaram fire station, the hut was reduced to ashes and all articles inside it destroyed. “We have registered a case of accidental fire. The DMK local leaders had promised to compensate the family for the damage triggered due to their action” the police said.  

The Election Commission had advised all political parties to avoid the bursting of crackers during campaigning.