Machinery and raw materials worth several lakhs were destroyed in a major fire at a paint manufacturing unit in Kinathukadavu today. Nearly 20 workers working in the factory managed to escape unhurt.

According to police, the fire was noticed by one of the workers, who immediately alerted co-workers. The fire spread quickly to the raw materials and paints with thick smoke scaling a height of 100 feet.

On information, 20 fire tenders from the city and Pollachi arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control, from spreading to other areas.