False fire alarm at Chidambaram attended function

Chennai, July 29 (UNI) A false fire alarm during a programme attended by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, panicked the audience and gave some anxious moments to security guards at Image Auditorium here last night.

Mr Chidambaram was here to launch a health insurance scheme for the transgenders and the marginalised women.

The alarm, which suddenly got activated for a couple of minutes, created a flutter among the security personnels and volunteers for a while.

The officials told the bewildered audience, who were about 800 inside the complex, to keep cool and not to rush outdoor.

Ruling out chances of fire or electrical short circuit, the officials said ''someone might have pressed the alarm button''.

However, the function proceeded without any confusion.

UNI