A major fire at a hotel-turned-Coronavirus Care Centre in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada claimed at least 10 lives in the early hours of August 9, 2020. Around 30 people have been reportedly injured in the accident.
The fire broke out at Hotel Swarna Palace in Vijayawada, leased by a private hotel to keep COVID-19 patients.
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Anguished by the fire at a Covid Centre in Vijayawada. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. Discussed the prevailing situation with AP CM @ysjagan Ji and assured all possible support.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 9, 2020
Spoke to Hon'ble PM @narendramodi ji regarding the incident in Vijayawada. We are ensuring that things are under control. An ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh has been announced to the families of the deceased. My thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families & the injured.
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) August 9, 2020
Meanwhile, news agency ANI quoted Krishna District Collector Mohammed Imtiaz as saying, "The incident took place around 5 am. Around 22 patients are being treated in hospital. We are evacuating the entire building. The reason of fire appears to be a short circuit, as per the preliminary report, but we will have to ascertain."
The incident took place around 5 am. Around 22 patients are being treated in hospital. We are evacuating the entire building. The reason of fire appears to be a short circuit, as per the preliminary report, but we will have to ascertain: Krishna DC Mohammad Imtiaz #AndhraPradesh https://t.co/9hs9dow2mV pic.twitter.com/TEVp3Xfrpt
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2020
Around 30 COVID-19 patients along with 10 hotel staff were reportedly present when the fire broke out. AP cabinet minister Velam Palli Srinivasa Rao had also reached to inspect the spot.
The incident comes days after eight people died in a fire that broke out in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private COVID-19 designated hospital in Ahmedabad early morning on August 6. According to officials, the fire was caused due to a short circuit.