40 huts destroyed as girl sets herself alight

Chennai, Sep 11 (UNI) An 18-year-old girl was charred to death and about 40 huts destroyed in a fire at Theedir Nagar, located adjacent to the railway track between Kodambakkam and Mambalam Railway Stations, in the city this morning.

Police said Pachaiyammal, a newly married girl, allegedly committed suicide by setting herself afire after dousing with kerosene following a quarrel with her husband and in-laws leading to the mishap.

Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Director V Madura Pandiyan told visiting mediapersons fire engines from different parts of the city were rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

The loss from the fire is yet to be estimated, he added.

Alert Southern Railway officials who noticed the fire moved the empty coaches (stable stock) to safety thereby avoiding huge losses to the railways, sources said.

UNI RV SY KP0956