Andhra Pradesh home minister Sabita Indra Reddy visited Manikonda area where a major fire accident took place last night that left six persons dead including a child. The fire broke out at a shed, which was erected for the purpose of a local shooting. The wild flames soon engulfed a residential apartment next to the shed. The police booked the case and started investigation. The reasons behind the fire accident were yet to be ascertained. However, police suspected short circuit behind the mishap.

There has been loud uproar especially in Manikonda area on the fire accident. Several locals expressed their anguish with Andhra Wishesh. They said Manikonda area has been becoming a hub for many shootings especially for TV soaps. Permissions for shootings should not be given to any film unit in the residential areas failing which such incidents might take place, said observers. The government should now at least look into the issue and ban shooting in public places, they added.

(AW Phani)