Two killed in Vijayawada Gymkhana cracker stall fire mishap

VIJAYAWADA: Two persons were reportedly burnt alive after a massive fire gutted a few Diwali firecracker stalls in Vijayawada early on Sunday. The tragic incident happened at the Gymkhana grounds of Gandhi Nagar which hosts the firecracker stalls every year during the Deepavali time.

The officials, who inspected the accident site, said that a total of 19 shops were permitted to sell firecrackers, out of which, three shops were gutted. Reportedly, the fire broke out in the 15th, 16th and 17th shops. What sparked the fire was yet to be determined by the police.

Vijayawada Commissioner of Police Kanti Rana said, "We have registered a case on the incident. The accident may have occurred when the crackers were being shifted to the stalls." The police believe that the two persons, who died in the incident, belonged to the 15th shop. They were identified as Kashi from Vijayawada and Samba from Piduguralla.