11 patients killed in hotel fire in Andhra Pradesh

Swarna Palace Hotel in Vijayawada was used as a covid-care center, short circuit could lead to fire

(PTI) Vijayawada, Ta. Sunday, August 9, 2020

A fire broke out at a hotel in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada early this morning, killing 11 patients and rescuing 30 others. The hotel was made the center of Kovid-19 by a hospital. Fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot and extinguished the fire.

The state government has provided Rs. Has announced compensation of Rs 50 lakh. While the Prime Minister has provided Rs. 2-2 lakh financial assistance will be provided. A hotel called Swarna Palace was used as a covid-care center by a private hospital at Vijayawada.

At the time of the fire, 40 patients were undergoing corona treatment at the Covid Care Center. As well as 10 employees of the hospital were also present there. The center caught fire around 5.00 am on Sunday.

The fire caused panic in the hotel. About 15 people were initially evacuated from the hotel. The fire at the Covid-19 Center has been contained. However, relief work is still ongoing. The death toll is expected to rise. The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but it is possible that the fire was caused by a short circuit.

Jairam Naik, director of fire safety, said the fire may have been caused by a short circuit in the front lobby of the hotel and spread to the first and second floors. Safety rules were violated while treating Corona patients in a hotel leased by a private hospital. An investigation has been launched into the accident and the hospital may face prosecution.

Since there was only one main staircase in the hotel, the panicked patients used this staircase to escape seeing the smoke. In fact he needed to use the back stairs to escape.

Unfortunately he panicked and used the main stairs and they caught fire. Surviving patients were moved to another Covid Care Center in the city. The alarm did not go off after the fire broke out and there was a delay in opening the back door, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and spoke to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and assured him of all possible help. The Prime Minister's Office said that Rs. An amount of Rs 2 lakh will be provided from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. Apart from this, Rs. 50,000 will be helped.