Minister for Information and Special Programmes Implementation, KT Rajendra Balaji, visited the spot after the fire was doused and later announced that steps had been initiated to build a new 4000sq/ft storehouse.

Today, the press prints standardised forms, registers, department manuals, birth and death certificates, community certificates and other commercial printing required by all departments of the state government. The building is one of the ten buildings in the compound, adjoined to the building where ‘budget’ documents of the state are printed.

Fire at printing and packaging units is something that has been occurring with alarming frequency, but the most recent venue of the accidents—the central press on Mint Street, Chennai—is one that has made those who know the history of the press skip a beat.

Historically, the structure is important because this was the first mint built by the British in Madras Presidency. Also in 2006, the structure was declared a heritage building by the Justice E Padmanabhan committee in its report to the Madras High Court. (Read about the historical importance of the Mint Street here)

Last year, seven major fire accidents at printing and packaging units were reported by the media. This had also prompted OPA (Offset Printers’ Association, Ludhiana) to release a handbook on fire safety measures.