Fire destroys metal scrap and waste paper godown near Tirupattur’s Vaniyambadi; five escape unhurt

A metal scrap and waste paper godown in Chettiyappanur village, near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur, being engulfed in flames on Wednesday after a fire broke out at the facility. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Five employees of a metal scrap and waste paper godown in Chettiyappanur village, near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur on the Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH 44), escaped unhurt after a fire broke out in the godown on Wednesday, causing thick smoke in the area.

Police said that around 2 p.m., G. Kuppan, the owner, went to his warehouse as part of his routine inspection and noticed thick smoke coming from the unit. Immediately, along with other employees and nearby residents, he tried to douse the fire, but it quickly spread throughout the entire warehouse, which covers approximately 3,500 sq ft.

Following the alert, a 10-member firefighting team from Vaniyambadi, accompanied by police, rushed to the scene. Before the firefighters arrived, the fire had already engulfed the entire warehouse. After nearly three hours, the firefighters managed to extinguish the flames. They also safely rescued the trapped employees inside the warehouse. However, the entire facility was completely gutted. Tonnes of metal scrap, plastic waste materials, and a few vehicles were destroyed in the fire.

Residents complained of severe eye irritation, especially among children and senior citizens, due to smoke from the unit. A case was registered by Vaniyambadi Town police. The police said an electrical short circuit in the main electrical board inside the warehouse could be the cause of the incident.

Published - June 04, 2025 11:34 pm IST