A major fire erupted after an underground natural gas pipeline was ruptured during excavation work for a high-voltage power cable near Madhavaram on Friday. It also disrupted traffic for nearly four hours and damaged roadside shops, public utilities and a parked truck. No injuries were reported.

Officials said the damaged pipeline is part of the city’s underground natural gas distribution network, which supplies gas to households, industries and CNG filling stations in Chennai and its suburbs. The gas is sourced from liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported through the Ennore port complex and distributed via an extensive underground pipeline network.

The accident occurred on Manjambakkam Main Road when personnel of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board were drilling the road to lay a high-voltage underground power cable. During the operation, an earthmover accidentally damaged a natural gas pipeline buried about 20 feet below the ground, triggering a massive gas leak.

Firefighters battled the blaze using water and chemical foam, but the continuous supply of highly flammable gas from the damaged pipeline caused flames to shoot nearly 100 feet into the air, hampering firefighting efforts. Engineers from the gas distribution company later reached the spot and isolated the damaged section by shutting the supply valves. The fire was brought under control only after the gas flow was cut off.

Madhavaram police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.

Published - July 11, 2026 12:45 am IST