2 chariots of 2 temples partially gutted in fire

Two chariots of two temples in this city were partially gutted in a fire, suspected by police to be the handiwork of anti-social elements.
Police said locals noticed the flames late last night and and tried to contain the blaze by dousing it with water.
Fire service personnel who rushed to the spot on being informed, brought the flames completely under control.
The Sathuvacheri and Ponniamman nagar temples in the city are located near each other.
Police suspect that a group of persons who used to consume liquor near the chariots could have set the chariots ablaze and said they were investigating the matter.

Devotees opined that it was the work of anti-social elements. They said there was no way flames could break out as there were no electric wires near the chariots.
Local Hindu munnani leader Mahesh demanded a separate force to protect temple properties and prevent recurrence of such fires.
The blaze at the temple chariots come a week after a massive blaze at the premises of the famous Meenakshi temple in Madurai here gutted 40 shops.