One person was killed and three injured after a building housing government departments here caught fire Monday, said police.
The fire at the Ezhilagam complex located on the arterial Marina beach road was noticed around 12.30 am. Fifteen fire tenders rushed to the spot and around 150 fire service personnel were involved in dousing the fire.
A team of fire service personnel went to the first storey when the floor and other structures caved in, killing K Anbazhagan and injuring Priya Ravichandran, Murugan and Prabhakaran, police said.
The three injured have been admitted to hospital with Ravichandran suffering around 50% burn injuries and others suffering fractures and other external injuries.
The fire reduced to ashes important files belonging to the Department of Industries and Commerce and Social Welfare.
The cause of fire is being investigated by police.