Major fire at Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, 40 shops gutted

A major fire broke out at Tamil Nadu’s Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple late on Friday night. More than 40 shops were gutted in the extreme fire.

According to the fire officials, the fire started at a toy shop inside the thousand-pillar hall near the east tower of the temple at around 10 pm at night.

About 60 fire tenders were rushed to the spot and it took nearly five hours to gain control over the fire. “Police is investigating the cause of the fire,” said a fire and rescue officer.

No human loss or injuries were reported but birds nesting near the temple premises choked to death. While officials confirmed that no harm had been done to the sanctum sanctorum, ancient sculptures on walls near a mandapam of the temple were reported to be damaged.

“Monetary loss due to the fire would be assessed in the morning,” officials said. Collector K Veera Raghava Rao reached the fire spot to monitor the situation along with the city police commissioner.

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Sources said that the shops selling puja items and cosmetics were gutted. “Power supply to the area was immediately cut. Ancient sculptures on walls near the Aayaram Kaal Mandapam were damaged and doves inside the east gopuram too died.”

“The fire was controlled before it spread to the main temple area. We've ordered a probe. There's no modern fire safety system with sprinklers installed at the temple. However, we have a dedicated fire engine stationed in the complex,” Mr. Rao told the reports.