Woman officer charred to death in fire at LIC office in Madurai

A woman officer, A. Kalyani Nambi, 56, was charred to death and another officer, D. Ram, 44, suffered burn injuries when a fire erupted at Life Insurance Corporation office on West Veli Street in Madurai on Wednesday night.

Kalyani Nambi was the Senior Manager of the branch, and Mr. Ram was an Administrative Officer. The fire broke out on the second floor of the building located opposite Madurai Railway Junction at around 8.30 p.m.

Even as four fire tenders rushed to the spot and started firefighting immediately, the fire spread fast and Kalyani Nambi is suspected to have been asphyxiated and fell down due to the obnoxious smoke.

She was found charred to death inside her cabin. Mr. Ram was found a few feet away from the spot.

Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan, who rushed to the accident spot, said an electrical short-circuit could have caused the fire.

The fire was, however, put out before it could spread to other buildings.

Mr. Ram has been admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital with around 30% burns.

Thilagar Thidal police are investigating.