9 DEAD IN ANDHRA AFTER FIRE BROKE OUT AT A COVID FACILITY; 2 JUMPED OFF WINDOWS TO SAVE THEIR LIFE – REPORT

A fire that started at one of the coronavirus facilities in Andhra Pradesh killed nine patients on Sunday. The fire had reportedly started in the ground floor after a short circuit and had spread to the first and second floor.

In Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada, Hotel Swarna Palace was taken on lease by Ramesh hospitals for housing coronavirus patients. There were 30 patients in the facility when the fire broke out. "Around 5.09 am control room received a call regarding the fire accident following which police and fire personnel immediately rushed to the spot. By 5.45 am fire was doused off," B Srinivasulu, Police Commissioner said. 

Two patients had also jumped out of the windows to save their life.

"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 this," said Krishna District Collector Mohammad Imtiaz.

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed his grief and has also announced a compensation of Rs.50 lakh for the family of those killed. Several leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind sent their condolences to the family of those who passed away due to this unfortunate fire accident.

This is the second fire at a COVID facility. On Thursday, 8 coronavirus patients passed away after a fire broke out at a private hospital in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad.