Major fire in paint shop at Chalakudy; gas godown nearby, triggers panic 

THRISSUR: A fire broke out at a paint and hardware shop in Chalakudy triggering widespread panic. The fire broke out Monday morning at Ukkens Paint and Hardware shop at 8.30 am. There is a gas godown nearby the shop. All efforts are underway to shift the gas cylinders from there. The fire has not been controlled.. The fire brigade, police and locals are trying to douse the flames.

All items including paint and thinners are being removed from the shop by the locals and porters. The fire broke out in a busy commercial complex in Chalakudy. Two fire units have arrived from Puthukkad and Chalakudy. Black smoke is emanating from the area. The police have restricted traffic in this area. It is reported that the fire, which spread from the back of the godown adjacent to the paint shop, has now reached the front.