Vadapalani fire: Main culprits still at large
3 special teams to nab owner who flouted norms.
Chennai: The three special teams formed by city police to inquire into Vadapalani fire accident case failed to nab the owner of the house who violated the building norms.
Owner E. Vijaya Kumar, manager of the building Pandian and the security guard have been absconding since the mishap occurred on Monday morning. “None of their phones is reachable. Investigation is on,” said Annadurai, assistant commissioner of police, Vadapalani.
It may be noted that the Chennai corporation sealed the building in September 2016 for raising two floors without permission from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. “An hour after the Chennai corporation sealed the building, owner Vijaya Kumar unsealed it using his influence.
He also asked the tenants to use the back doors,” said an employee from a mechanic shop here. The fire that sparked from an electricity box on Monday claimed 4 lives, leaving twelve others with injuries. Vadapalani police present at the accident site are collecting the details of Vijaya Kumar who is an AIADMK functionary. “We are collecting details of the blasted vehicles to arrange for compensation,” said a revenue department official, who inspected the site on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, things are back to normalcy on South Perumal Koil Street, which saw the mishap on Monday. “It was very difficult to use the lane as it had a burnt smell. It is so much better now,” said a passerby.