Petrol bunk’s metal roof collapses in Saidapet after rains; one dead, seven injured

CHENNAI: A person died and seven others suffered serious injuries after the metal roof of a petrol bunk in Saidapet collapsed on Friday evening.

Several members of the public had sought shelter under the petrol bunk on East Jones road after rains when the incident happened.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the bunk has been on operation for about 17 years and the metal roof was supported by only two columns.

The roof collapsed around 7 pm. Fortunately, for the victims, the TNFRS (Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services) station and the police station are less than 100 metres away and help immediately reached the scene. Workers and officials from the Highways department office in the building adjacent to the petrol bunk attended to the rescue efforts

Public too pitched in with rescue efforts and managed to secure some of the injured.

Health Minister M Subramanian who reached the scene confirmed that one person had died on the spot.