On Karthigai Deepam, Kanchi foam godown catches fire, 1 dead in Tiruchy

In the first incident, a cracker fell inside the godown which is located on Gandhi Road. The shop, which is owned by Radha Krishnan of Sangushapettai, is situated on the third floor of the building.

On Tuesday, around 9 pm, Radha Krishnan closed the shop and went home. Around 10.30 pm, the locals noticed smoke coming from the godown and informed the police and the fire personnel. The fire and rescue team from Kancheepuram and Uthiramerur rushed to the location and doused the fire after fighting for nearly an hour. Police said that since many people were bursting crackers following Karthigai Deepam, a rocket had fallen inside the godown and triggered the fire. However, no casualities were recorded. The Vishnu Kanchi police have registered a case.

Meanwhile, in another shocking incident, a father-daughter duo was caught in a fire that spread to their shop from the Agal Vilakku (earthen lamp) lit for Karthigai deepam festival on Tuesday in Ariyalur.

While the father died, the daughter has been undergoing treatment with severe burns at Thanajvur Medical College hospital and her condition is said to be critical as on Wednesday. Selvam (50) from Kazhumangalam village near Udayarpalayam in Ariyalur had been running a petty shop adjacent to his house and selling petrol on retail price by stocking them in bigger cans.

On Tuesday, Selvam’s daughter Bhavani (18) had reportedly lit the Agal Vilakku at the petty shop while Selvam was away for some purchase. Bhavani was lighting the lamp when one of the lamps had slipped and fell into the petrol can. The fire soon spread all around the shop and Bhavani was trapped inside the shop.

After seeing his daughter stranded inside the shop, Selvam who was almost nearing the shop, jumped into the fire and pulled out Bhavani. Ensuring Bhavani was outside, Selvam ran for safety while the shop was still in the flames. However, the duo sustained severe burns.

On information, Jayankondam fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and doused the fire. The neighbours rushed both of them to the Jayankondam Government Hospital. While Selvam died despite treatment, Bhavani was referred to the Thanajvur Medical College Hospital where she has been undergoing treatment with more than 60 per cent burns. Her condition is said to be critical. Udayarpalayam police registered a case and inquiry is on.