Property worth 1 crore gutted

Nellore: Houses and paddy stocks worth Rs 1 crore gutted at Gollapalem village of Annagaripalem panchayat in Kavali rural mandal on Monday. Officials found short circuit in power cable that is running through greenery was the reason for the mishap.

According to sources, fire broke out in the village when power cables came in contact with each other and the flames spread to the paddy stocks. Twenty houses, 20 paddy stocks and bullock carts along with tyres were gutted within in an hour. As many as 300 families are residing in Gollapalem village. 

Though the villagers tried to douse the flames, but their efforts went in vain due to blowing of winds and high temperature. Villagers stated they had appealed to the Transco authorities to adjust the cable lines which are very close to the paddy stocks in the village.

But, officials did not take our complaints very seriously, they alleged. In another incident, fire also broke out at Venkata Ramana hotel in the heart of the city. Management of the hotel alerted the staff to run for safety. No injuries were reported in the incident. Fire tenders rushed to the hotel and doused the flames.