500-strong team battling Madhavaram warehouse blaze

Though none was injured, officials said chemicals meant to be transported to various pharmaceutical companies, estimated to be worth about Rs 100 crore, were damaged in the fire, suspected to have been triggered by a short circuit.

The fire broke out around 2.45 pm at the godown located opposite the Madhavaram bus terminus on GNT Road. There were about 10 workers present at the time of the incident, but they managed to run out of the warehouse before the fire spread rapidly to the chemicals kept in barrels, said officials. Soon, the entire warehouse was up in flames.

The thick smoke that billowed out engulfed the entire neighbourhood, spreading panic among workers of other units and residents.

Initially, 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot. But as they could not bring the fire under control, more fire tenders and personnel were sent there. Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services chief DGP C Sylendra Babu said 32 fire tenders, including six that are foam-based to control chemical fire, were pressed into service. Following a request from the officials, Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited, too, aided the effort, he added.

City Police Commissioner AK Viswanathan and Additional Commissioner (North) R Dhinakaran, too, rushed to the spot to review the efforts taken to prevent fire from spreading, as it is an industrial area where thousands are working in various companies. The godown is said to be owned by one Ranjith of Perambur.