Short-Circuit Sets Off Fire at IT Park

CHENNAI: Fire broke out due to suspected electrical short-circuit in a leading software firm, destroying around 150 batteries, in Sholinganallur on Tuesday.Around 11 am, dense smoke was seen coming out of the second floor of S5 building of Wipro Tech Services Ltd located at IT Park on Old Mahabalipuram Road, T David Vincent Devadoss, deputy director (north-west), Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, told Express. Police sources said there were seven buildings at the IT Park. Wipro Ltd occupied many of these and had a total of around 12,000 staff working in them. The seven-storied ‘S5’ building in which the fire broke out  had about 1,000 employees. As thick toxic fumes started emanating from the room, where around 150 batteries for the UPS system and related equipment were stored, the management quickly evacuated them. “The company also had proper safety measures in place,” he said.While the flames were contained to the second floor, the smoke spread to the floor above. Three fire tenders soon arrived at the spot and battled the blaze for two hours. There were no injuries and the loss was estimated to be about `2 lakh, Devadoss added.