Rajam fire accident: crackers gut an automobile showroom, shops catch fire in Gannavaram and Tiruvuru; Naidu tells officials to stay alert

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, 9 November, sought details of three fires in Andhra Pradesh and told officials to stay alert. Among them was the Rajam fire accident in Vizianagaram district, where Deepavali crackers burnt down an automobile showroom. The three towns lie in three districts: Vizianagaram, Krishna and NTR. The state’s Information and Public Relations department released the details in a statement from Amaravati, posted on X on Monday morning.

In Rajam, the crackers fell on the showroom by accident and set it alight. The showroom was gutted and the property loss was heavy, the department said. Senior fire department officers told the Chief Minister that their crews reached the spot as soon as they learnt of the blaze and put it out.

Sparks in Gannavaram, a short circuit in Tiruvuru

The second fire was in Gannavaram in Krishna district. Sparks from crackers being burst there flew onto a furniture shop, and it caught fire. The third was in Tiruvuru in NTR district, where a short circuit gutted a shop. The government’s statement does not link the Tiruvuru fire to the festival.

The statement does not give the day or time of any of the three fires, an estimate of the losses or the names of the businesses. It makes clear only that crackers caused the Rajam and Gannavaram fires. It speaks only of damage to property and mentions no injuries. Deepavali fell on Sunday, 8 November.

What Naidu asked for

Naidu expressed regret over the loss of property. After asking officials about all three incidents, he issued instructions for adequate precautions to be taken, the department said.