Overview of the Incident

A fire erupted at Chennai’s popular Express Avenue (EA) Mall in Royapettah on friday morning.

The incident triggered panic among visitors and mall staff as smoke rapidly spread through parts of the building.

The mall, located off Anna Salai, spans nearly 9 lakh sq ft and draws thousands of daily visitors, adding to the urgency of the situation.

Location and Scale of the Mall

Houses hundreds of retail stores across multiple floors.

Features an eight-screen PVR multiplex, a Fun City play zone, and a 50,000 sq ft dining area.

Contains numerous corporate offices and three levels of parking.

Its large footfall and infrastructure make fire safety a critical operational priority.

How the fire Started

The fire originated in the electrical control room on the first floor around 8:30 am.

Security personnel noticed smoke and immediately alerted the fire control room.

Initial assessments suggest a possible short circuit, though a detailed investigation is ongoing.

Immediate Response and Evacuation

As the smoke thickened, shoppers, employees, and maintenance staff were swiftly evacuated.

Many gathered outside the mall along the roadside to ensure safety.

The quick response by mall staff prevented the situation from escalating further.

Firefighting Efforts

Three fire tenders from Egmore and nearby stations were dispatched.

By the time firefighters arrived, mall personnel had already extinguished the flames.

However, dense smoke continued to linger, prompting firefighters to spend nearly an hour ventilating the building.

Fire personnel ensured all zones were cleared of smoke and declared the premises safe for re-entry.

Damage and Safety Concerns

Authorities confirmed no injuries and no major property damage.

The incident has renewed public discussion on fire safety preparedness in major commercial hubs, especially those with high daily footfall.

Officials emphadata-sized that preventive measures and regular maintenance remain essential to avoid such occurrences.

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