Massive fire at Gudivada shopping complex, loss estimated at ₹1.2 crore

A major fire accident was reported in Gudivada town of Krishna district in the early hours of Sunday , gutting a mobile phone shop and five adjoining ready-made garment stores near Nehru Chowk Centre.

According to officials, the fire broke out around 4:30 am in a mobile phone shop located in a shopping complex. The flames quickly spread to five neighbouring ready-made clothing outlets, causing extensive damage. Preliminary estimates put the property loss at around ₹1.2 crore.

Fire officials suspect that a short circuit or a possible mobile battery explosion may have triggered the blaze. The presence of wooden partitions between the shops is believed to have helped the fire spread rapidly, police said.

On receiving information, fire department personnel rushed to the spot with two fire tenders and battled the flames for several hours before bringing the situation under control. By then, however, shop inventories including electronic items, garments and other materials were completely destroyed.

Shop owners were seen in distress, stating that they had lost their entire livelihood in the incident. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the fire occurred during early morning hours when all shops were closed.

Police said a case will be registered and a detailed investigation will be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.