Massive Fire Breaks Out at Oil Warehouse in Chennai Manali

Explosions from oil drums spread panic in the area as firefighters continued efforts to control the blaze for hours.

Pushpa Tamang
Pushpa Tamang
Black smoke rises from the fire in Chennai’s Manali area
Smoke rises from the burning oil warehouse in Chennai’s Manali area.

A major fire broke out in Chennai’s Manali area on Monday, with firefighters continuing efforts to bring the blaze under control for several hours.

Thick smoke was first seen rising from a private oil warehouse in Lakshmi Nagar, Vichoor, around 11:30 am. The fire quickly spread across the area, creating panic among nearby residents.

Fire and Rescue Services teams rushed to the site with water tankers soon after receiving information about the incident. But officials said the intensity of the fire made it difficult for firefighters to immediately move close to the burning warehouse.

Oil drums stored inside the godown exploded one after another as the flames spread to nearby buildings.

One woman was injured in the incident after suffering burn injuries. Her condition has not been officially updated.

Firefighting Operation Continues

Firefighters remained at the site throughout the day as thick smoke continued to rise from the area. Security personnel were also deployed to clear nearby locations and prevent civilians from entering the danger zone.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire.

The incident caused fear among local residents as repeated explosions were heard from inside the oil storage facility.

Pushpa Tamang

Written by Pushpa Tamang

Pushpa Tamang is Managing Editor at Khoj Samachar, leading English and Nepali bureaus, newsroom operations, and editorial standards.