As many as 51 thatched houses were destroyed in a fire accident in Venkannapalem area of Peda Gantyada near here on Sunday. There was also a forest fire on the Simhachalam Hill. Fortunately, there was no casualty or injuries in both incidents.
Short-circuit
According to preliminary investigation by the Fire Department, fire broke out in Venkannapalem area due to an electrical short-circuit. The victims lamented that they lost all their belongings including gold, house-hold articles, food and clothes. Most of the families residing in the colony were daily wage earners.
After receiving information about the incident, three fire tenders, one each from Peda Gantyada, Auto Nagar and Steel Plant fire stations rushed to the spot.
It took about one-and-a-half-hour to extinguish the fire and as a precautionary measure, a fire tender was positioned for any emergency for fresh outbreak of fire in the colony.
To control the fire on the Simhachalam Hill, two fire tenders from Marripalem and one each from NTPC and Navy were rushed to the spot.
“The fire spread rapidly and it took almost five to six hours to douse the fire. We are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire,” said Surendra Anand, Additional Fire Officer (AFO), Visakhapatnam district.
District Collector Pravin Kumar and GVMC Commissioner M. Harinarayanan visited the accident spots.
Mr. Pravin Kumar assured the victims of extending all help to the residents of Venkannapalem.
