A 35-year-old private contractor was killed after the roof of a house collapsed on him at Melapulam village near Arakkonam town in Ranipet.

The police said the deceased was identified as Sanjay Rathinam. The house was built under a government free housing scheme many years ago. Initial inquiry revealed that the dilapidated house weakened due to rain.  

Neighbours heard a loud noise coming from the house. Upon reaching the building, they saw Rathinam in a pool of blood. They rushed him to the primary health centre in Panapakkam where the duty doctor said that he was brought dead. A case was registered by Avalur police. A probe is under way.