Chennai: A fire broke out at the BSNL office on Anna Salai on Saturday morning, triggering panic along the busy commercial stretch and briefly disrupting traffic and services in the area. No casualties were reported.

According to officials, the fire was detected around 9.30 am after someone noticed thick smoke rising from the second floor of the building. Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot and battled the blaze for over an hour before bringing it under control.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Police said a battery stored in one of the rooms on the second floor is suspected to have exploded, potentially triggering the blaze. The exact cause will be confirmed after a detailed technical inspection.

As dense smoke engulfed the building, traffic on Anna Salai slowed considerably. Several motorists halted to record videos of the incident, resulting in congestion on the arterial road. Police personnel were deployed to regulate traffic and ensure public safety during the firefighting operation.

The fire led to disruptions in critical services housed at the BSNL facility. Firefighters later succeeded in preventing the flames from spreading further, and officials are now assessing the extent of the damage.

Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and evaluate safety measures at the facility.