10 patients killed in fire at Vijayawada hotel converted as COVID care facility

10 patients killed in fire at COVID care facility in AP
Rescue operations on at star the hotel converted to a coronavirus treatment centre in Vijayawada. PTI

Vijayawada: As many as 10 persons died at star a hotel converted to a coronavirus treatment centre here on Sunday when panic-stricken residents tried to flee a fire suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, the government said.

Ten people were killed in the mishap, Vijayawada Police Commissioner B Srinivasulu said.

The hotel leased by a private hospital to treat the coronavirus infected had "violated" safety rules, according to Fire Safety Director Jairam Naik.

It will face action as investigation has been initiated, he said.

The Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50 lakh each to the kin of the 10 victims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy over the phone and enquired about the incident.

Vijayawada fire accident
Police personnel and other officials inspect the hotel, turned into Covid-19 care centre, where a massive fire broke out early morning, in Vijayawada, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Seven people have lost their lives and 30 have been rescued. (PTI Photo)

Reddy told Modi that a private hospital had taken the star hotel on lease to treat COVID-19 patients. The PM assured all possible help and support to the families of the victims, a release from the CMO said.

State Home Minister M Sucharita said an electrical short circuit appeared to be the possible cause of the fire mishap in the wee hours of Sunday.

There were 40 coronavirus positive persons undergoing treatment at the private facility. There were 10 staff members of the private hospital that was running the COVID Care Centre (CCC).

According to sources in the AP Disaster Response and Fire Services Department, the fire apparently broke out due to an electrical short circuit in the hotel's front lobby and spread to the first and second floors.

Vijayawada fire accident
Police personnel and other officials inspect the hotel, turned into Covid-19 care centre, where a massive fire broke out early morning, in Vijayawada, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Seven people have lost their lives and 30 have been rescued. (PTI Photo)

As there was only one main stairway, the panicked patients tried to escape to safety using the stairway after they noticed the smoke.

"They should have actually used a different stairway on the rear side and that would have saved their lives. Unfortunately, they used the main one in a panicky situation and got caught in the fire," a Fire official said.

Since there was no other option, the Fire and NDRF personnel used ladders to bring down other people, stranded inside the hotel, to safety.

The dead included patients admitted for treatment there.

The rescued patients were shifted to another CCC on MG Road in the city.

Fire Safety officer Jairam Naik said the hotel had "violated" fire safety rules.

Vijayawada fire accident
NDRF personnelwearing PPE kits carry a body out of the hotel, turned into Covid-19 care centre, where a massive fire broke out early morning, in Vijayawada, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020. Seven people have lost their lives and 30 have been rescued. (PTI Photo)

“The fire alarm did not go off at the time of the accident and there was delay in opening the rear door. Investigation has been initiated and there will be action against the hotel management," he added.

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.