Chennai: Fire breaks out in soap oil manufacturing unit, 1 dead
Two fire tenders from Tambaram and Maraimalai Nagar fire stations rushed to the scene and after an ordeal of over two hours, doused the fire.
Chennai: A 55-year-old man died in a fire broke out at a small-scale soap oil manufacturing unit in Urapakkam near Tambaram on Thursday.
The deceased was identified as Vijaya Kumar of Hastinapuram near Chromepet. He along with his assistant, Saravanan (38) were in the unit when fire broke out.
Police said that they made soap oils and thinners from the house. Around 12 30 pm, thick smoke started emanating from the house following which neighbours alerted the police and fire services.
Two fire tenders from Tambaram and Maraimalai Nagar fire stations rushed to the scene and after an ordeal of over two hours, doused the fire.
While, Saravanan managed to get out of the house before the fire could spread inside, Vijaya Kumar was struck inside the house, police said. Rescue personnel managed to rescue him and moved him to a hospital nearby, where he was declared dead on arrival.
While preliminary investigations have suggested an electric short circuit to have triggered a spark that eventually led to the fire, police are also investigating whether fire sparks from Deepavali crackers outside led to the fire. Police have registered a case and are investigating. Enquiries are also underway if the unit had requisite licence.