The Chennai Silks building fire: Demolition of the seven storey retail showroom underway

The task of bringing the building down was entrusted to Parveen Traders, a private entity. Speaking about the method used, Peer Mohammed of Parveen Traders said, "We are using jaw cutter for the job. It is a Volvo EC 460 machine, which can reach a height of 26 meters. The building is around 31 meters. To make up for the deficit in height, we are using debris to create a ramp, which has been happening since June 1. At 11 am today, we started demolishing the side of the building. The procedure will be completed within the next three days," said the expert. 

The procedure for demolition started around 4 pm on June 1, when lorries of debris were being brought in to create the ramp. However, sources say that a trial run conducted on Friday showed that the jaw cutter machine couldn't access the top of the building. By Friday noon, excavators were still dumping debris and levelling it to increase the height of the ramp, to proceed with the demolition.

The building, which was sealed by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), in 2011 for building violations also lacked fire safety features.

A massive fire broke out in this building in the early hours of Wednesday, May 31, which soon engulfed the seven storey structure, as 450 firefighters battled for almost two days to douse the fire. Residents living in the vicinity were asked to evacuate for safety measures. In the wee hours of June 1, a part of the facade collapsed, bringing down the floors of the edifice. While the fire was doused, small blazes kept erupting in various parts of the building, even as demolition preparations were underway.

Various government departments came together for the operation. Apart from the TN Fire and Rescue Services, the Greater Chennai Corporation, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB), Public Works Department (PWD), Revenue Department, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and Greater Chennai Police were roped in. 

The busy South Usman Road was closed to the public, even as leading jewellery and textile outlets remained shut for the third consecutive day. Industry experts say that the loss in income due to the shut down of the commercial quarter will be approximately Rs 80-100 crore per day.