Rajadhani blaze guts godown, sparks panic

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Panic gripped city after a massive fire broke out in one of the buildings located at East Fort, in the proximity of Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, on Sunday evening. Fire broke out in the warehouses of two textile firms functioned in the Rajadhani building complex owned by Biju Ramesh. Since almost all commercial establishments in the building complex were having an off day, there were very few people in the building and hence a major tragedy was averted.
The most affected by the fire was Tamil Nadu-based prominent textile brand Pothy's, which occupied two halls in the second and third floor of the building, which they used to store their stock. The lion's share of damaged property was the new stock of textiles they had brought here in view of Onam sales. Richmond Uniforms nearby too suffered considerable loss of property.
Police said that the fire was spotted around 3pm by employees of the Pothy's Textiles. The employees said the fire started at the warehouse of Richmond Uniforms, which remained closed. They rushed out of the building and alerted the fire and rescue department. Police also sprang to action by offering ground support. They blocked the approach roads to the building and kept them clear for the smooth movement of water tenders of the fire fighters.
Top officers, including DGP A Hemachandran, who is the commandant general of fire and rescue services department, inspector general of police (Thiruvananthapuram) Manoj Abraham, city police commissioner G Sparjan Kumar and DCP G Siva Vikram reached the spot and supervised the rescue operations.
The Airport Authority of India too offered help by lending their Rosenbauer 1, a highly efficient water tender, which played a crucial role in dousing the fire. The warehouses were located behind the row of commercial establishments facing road and was almost out of reach of the hoses of fire department's water tenders. This hurdle was overcame once the Rosenbauer was pressed into service.
The fire could be doused completely after over four hours of effort.
Rajadhani building complex houses over 10 commercial establishments, including the showroom of a prominent jewellery brand as well as a few small-scale jewellery shops.
It also houses Rajadhani brand's restaurant, Park Rajadhani, attached with a beer and wine parlour an auditorium and Rajadhani Tourist Home as well as a foreign money exchange firm on the third floor.