7 killed in fire at hotel being used as Covid-19 facility in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada

At least seven people were killed in a fire at a hotel, which is being used as a Covid-19 facility, in Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada early on Sunday, news agency ANI reported.

“The incident took place around 5am. Around 22 patients are being treated in the hospital. We are evacuating the entire building,” Mohammad Imtiaz, Krishna’s district collector, was quoted as saying by ANI.

“The reason of fire appears to be a short circuit, as per the preliminary report. But we will have to ascertain,” Imtiaz said.

Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and grief over the accident and enquired about it cause, his office said. He has also directed officials to take up the rescue measures and admit the injured in nearby hospitals.

Eight people were killed in a fire in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private Covid-19 designated hospital in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Thursday. Police had said the fire broke out due to a short circuit on the fourth floor of the hospital.