A 55-year-old woman officer of the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) was charred to death and an employee sustained burn injuries in a major fire at the company’s office opposite the Madurai Railway Junction in the temple city late on Wednesday.
Police identified the deceased as Kalyani Nambi (55), branch manager, who had died of severe burns. Her charred body was recovered from her work station, in the office. The injured Administrative Officer, Ramu, who sustained burns, was shifted to hospital and is under treatment.
The fire broke out last night at the second floor of a commercial building, where the LIC office is located, facing the junction. Initially, thick smoke was witnessed bystanders and those waiting at the ATM in the building emerging from the building. With the fire engulfing the second floor, the police and fire service were alerted. The place is also in the vicinity of the famed Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple.
Fire and Rescue Service personnel who rushed to the spot from nearby Tallakulam and Periyar Bus Stand stations jointly battled for nearly two hours to put out the fire. According to initial investigation by the police, a short circuit in an air conditioner could have triggered the fire. Further investigation is on.