Coimbatore: Fire destroys seven bikes in two-wheeler showroom

DHARMAPURI: Seven brand new bikes kept for sales, spare parts, accessories, computers and furniture, all worth more than Rs 30 lakh in total, were gutted in a fire that broke out in a two-wheeler showroom at Harur in the early hours on Thursday.
In a three-story building on Harur-Salem-Dharmapuri highway, the showroom functions from the ground and first floor. A private chit company functions at the second floor and a TNPSC coaching centre at the third floor.
Around 1.30am on Thursday, thick smoke billowed out from the showroom. Passers-by immediately alerted fire and rescue services personnel.
“Five employees of the private chit fund who were staying in the office got trapped due to the thick smoke and fire in the first and ground floor,” a fire safety officer from the Harur fire service station said. Fire tenders were brought from the nearby stations, including Pappireddipatty and Uthangarai in Krishnagiri district.
The fire and rescue services personnel managed to rescue all the five employees safely. After three hours of struggle, they managed to put out the fire.
P Matahiyan, 48, of Morappur, owns the showroom. Matahiyan said he had locked the showroom as usual on Wednesday night and went to his house. “We suspect electric leakage could have been the reason for the fire accident,” he said.
The Harur police have registered a case and investigation is on.