A fire erupted in a stockpile of sulphur powder within the Chennai Harbour premises on Tuesday afternoon, generating thick smoke that blanketed parts of north Chennai and led to breathing difficulties, coughing, and eye irritation among local residents. Firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control within 15 minutes, and no injuries were reported.
Incident Details
According to officials from the fire and rescue services, the sulphur powder stored on nearly half an acre of open land within the Chennai Harbour caught fire around 12:45 p.m. Authorities suspect that high temperatures combined with strong winds triggered the fire.
The resulting dense smoke quickly spread beyond the harbour area, reaching the vicinity of the Secretariat, Madras High Court, Marina Beach, and surrounding localities. This affected government employees, advocates, court staff, visitors, and members of the public.
Health Impact
Many individuals reported breathing difficulties, persistent coughing, throat irritation, and burning eyes. Passersby had to cover their faces with handkerchiefs to move through the affected areas. Elderly persons and children were the most affected.
Firefighting Operation
Twenty firefighters from the Chennai Harbour, Esplanade, and High Court fire stations participated in the operation. G. Sathyanarayanan, Joint Director of the Fire and Rescue Services Department, stated that firefighters had to carefully spray water on the burning sulphur to suppress the fire effectively while preventing additional risks.
As the smoke spread across the area, fire tenders and ambulances were deployed as a precautionary measure. Officials are continuing to monitor the site and conducting an inquiry into the cause of the incident.
Precautionary Measures
The authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to stay indoors and use masks if necessary. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
