One killed, 38 rescued in lodge fire in Annamayya district

Tirupati: A 36-year-old man from Korrapadu village in Proddatur mandal, identified as Venkata Srinivasulu, was killed in a fire accident that broke out at a private lodge on Railway Station Road in Rajampet, Annamayya district, on Thursday.Police and fire services personnel arrived at the scene on time and successfully rescued 38 tourists who were stranded on the first floor of the private lodge. Five tourists who sustained injuries were rushed to the local govt hospital in Rajampet.According to the Rajampet police, an electric short circuit triggered the fire accident near the reception in ground floor. As the entry and exit to the 20-odd rooms at the private lodge were through the reception, nearly 38 tourists staying at the lodge were left stranded.Some of the tourists who were awake and realised the reception area was on fire raised an alarm, prompting passers-by to alert the local police and the fire services personnel. This timely alert saved the lives of 38 tourists, as the local police, along with fire services personnel, evacuated the stranded with the help of ladders.After the fire was brought under control, police shifted the body of the lone victim in the tragedy to the govt general hospital in Rajampet for post-mortem.Sub collector SH Bhavana met the family members of the deceased at the govt hospital and assured them of all necessary support from the govt.