Fire breaks out at Alappuzha Coirfed showroom

A fire broke out at the Alappuzha Coirfed showroom here on Saturday. According to Coirfed Chairman T K Devakumar, the blaze started in one room of the showroom due to a short circuit, destroying mats stored there, but causing no other loss. No one was inside the building at the time of the incident.

Devakumar added that the building, which is old, had not undergone its yearly maintenance as the Coirfed authorities are awaiting approval from the District Town Planning to dismantle it and construct a petrol pump on the 30-acre site. Onlookers alerted fire and rescue personnel, who quickly arrived and brought the fire under control. According to Alappuzha Fire and Rescue officials, the blaze was contained, but smoke had continued to spread due to flammable materials inside.

One unit each from Alappuzha, Cherthala, Thakazhi, and Changanassery fire stations was deployed to the scene. The building was filled with thick smoke and intense heat, making it difficult for the fire force to enter. They later created ventilation outlets to let the smoke escape and used an exhaust blower. Wearing breathing apparatus, the team entered the building, located the source of the fire, and extinguished it. The operation was led by Alappuzha Fire and Rescue Station Officer S Prasad.