August 10, 2020

Andrew Campbell 

A fire broke out on the early morning of August 9 at Hotel Swarna Palace in the city of Vijayawada in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The south eastern India’s hotel is being used as a COVID-19 facility to treat Coronavirus patients.

The blaze was reportedly the second incident in August. Earlier on August 6, a fire in the intensive care unit of a COVID-19 designated private hospital killed 8 patients in Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat.

Officials said the August 9 fire killed 11 patients while rescuers evacuated many trapped in the multistory building, and 22 patients were brought to nearby hospitals.

The fire was brought under control in thirty minutes. An investigation has been launched to find out the cause of the fire. A senior fire department official said that an electrical short-circuit might be the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and promised survivors of all possible support.