A grocery shop and three two-wheelers were gutted in Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur after fire broke out in the shop in the early hours on Tuesday, resulting in thick smoke in the area.
Police said Mohammed Saifullah Khan (23), a resident of Vaniyambadi town, was arrested for reportedly setting fire to these properties over previous enmity.
Initial inquiry revealed that victim B. Sankar (55), a resident of Vaniyambadi town, had converted a portion of his house into a grocery shop a few years ago. Along with his family members, he was running the shop in the area.
Police said Sankar and other residents had objected to Khan and his friends for allegedly consuming liquor near the shop a few days ago as it causes public nuisance. Residents and the gang had a heated argument before police intervened and warned the gang.
Police said that around past midnight, Sankar noticed smoke from his shop. He was sleeping along with 11 of his family members including children in the house. Immediately, he alerted Vaniyambadi firefighters and police, who rushed to the spot.
Before firefighters could reach the spot, fire charred a portion of the shop and three two-wheelers. After more than two hours, fire fighters doused it.
Family members, especially women and children, were treated at the hospital for suffocation and discharged as out-patients. A case was registered by Vaniyambadi Town police.
Based on CCTV footage on the route and inquiry with residents, police nabbed Khan from his hideout in the area and was lodged at sub-jail in Tirupattur town. A probe is underway.
Published – January 27, 2026 10:32 pm IST
