Date:09/06/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/06/09/stories/2003060905790300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Woman dies in fire mishap

By Our Staff Reporter

KHAMMAM June 8. An elderly woman, Baddam Lakshmamma (75), was charred to death in Saturday's fire accident in Nandipadu village near Aswaraopet. The entire village was engulfed in flames late in the evening. Fire tenders called in from three centres including Aswaraopet battled for five hours to control the blaze.

However, scarcity of water scuttled their efforts to minimise the loss of property. Some farmers lost their paddy, tractors, bicycle and cattle in the mishap. The loss was said to be over Rs. 1 crore. In all 72 families were rendered homeless in the accident. The Palvancha revenue divisional officer, Ravindrababu, visited the village and sanctioned an immediate assistance of Rs. 1,000 to each family. The affected families were given 30 kg of rice each.

The Aswaraopet police donated a day's salary to help the victims. They also distributed plates and glasses to them. Several voluntary and youth associations responded promptly to the situation and took up free distribution of food packets in the village. The Aswaraopet ZPTC member, Ramana Rao, distributed sarees to women, while the Satyasai Seva Samiti provided free food for 500 members.

Two more mishaps

Fire accidents were reported at two places in the district on Sunday. In all 27 houses were burnt in Rampuram Tanda near Mutyalampadu. The fire broke out from a thatched shed. Meanwhile, a mango grove and a poultry farm near Karepalli village caught fire on Sunday evening. Fire tenders were fighting the flames till late in the evening.

In Kottatanda village of Burgumpadu mandals, five houses were burnt in another accident on Sunday evening. Some of the haystacks, which caught fire, were reduced to ashes. About 20 houses were burnt in the same village last week. A majority of the victims were tribals. The revenue authorities assured them of help for reconstruction of houses.