Blaze in Chennai guts goods worth crores

CHENNAI: Goods worth several crores were damaged in a major fire which broke out at a leading shopping complex on Ranganathan Street, the shopping hub of Chennai city, on Monday morning.
   
However, no loss of life was reported, police said.
   
Chennai city police Commissioner R Sekar, who visited the spot and inspected relief and rescue operations, later said that 15 people trapped inside the six-storied building had been rescued.
   
Explosion of LPG cylinders in the fifth and sixth floors of the complex is suspected to have sparked off the blaze, fire department sources said.
   
The fire broke out as breakfast was being arranged for hundreds of employees.
   
The retailer stocks a wide range of goods, from plastics to jewellery,as also consumer durables and household articles.
   
Two snorkels, two major rescue tenders, more than 25 Metrowater tankers and 16 fire fighting units were deployed to douse the flames, which raged for nearly seven hours, Fire Services Department Deputy Director Janyakanthan said.