Chennai Silks building gives in after burning for 24 hours, many portions collapse

 After almost 24 hours of blazing fire, the massive Chennai Silks building in Chennai's T-Nagar started collapsing at around 3 am on Thursday. At around 3.20 am, portions of six floors of the building came crashing down even as fire fighters struggled to put out the blaze. The fire, which had pretty much been brought under control in the night started blazing dangerously at 1.00 am. Though more than 450 firefighters had been trying to control the blaze, it had been impossible to enter the building, because of the thick smoke that had been emanating from it right from Wednesday morning. Parts of the Chennai Silks building in Chennai collapsed around 3.19 am. Visuals from @PTTVOnlineNews pic.twitter.com/bBJfoqchJM — Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) May 31, 2017 Though the right side of the building has collapsed, there is palpable fear in the area that the entire structure would come crashing down. Officials had told the media that the pillars of the building had weakened due to the fire.  The water spraying operations were suspended in many parts as firefighters believe that if water is shot out with force, it may hasten the collapse even further. Chennai Traffic Police had on Wednesday night issued a bulletin urging residents within 100 metres of the building to evacuate. All other clothing, jewellery and provision stores in South Usman road have been shut for the day and area has been cordoned off completely. Pictures from Wednesday: