Amaravati, October 24 — At least five people were killed on Saturday after a fire broke out at a road construction site near Pinakota in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, IANS reported, according to the police. The blaze reportedly erupted between 8:30 am and 8:45 am while diesel was being filled into a Bolero Camper vehicle at the construction site.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

The flames rapidly spread to a small tipper lorry and a two-wheeler parked nearby, completely gutting all three vehicles, IANS reported. District Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar said the incident appeared to be an accidental fire, the exact circumstances remain unclear, and the identities of the deceased have not been confirmed officially. Preliminary information suggested the Bolero Camper and the tipper belonged to the contractor engaged in the road construction work, and it was not immediately clear how many people were present at the site or whether the dead were construction workers or passersby.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

5People killed, according to IANS quoting police (an earlier report said at least four)
8:30–8:45 amReported time the blaze erupted on Saturday, October 24
3 vehiclesA Bolero Camper, a small tipper lorry and a two-wheeler, all gutted
Pinakota, ASR districtRoad construction site in Ananthagiri mandal, Andhra Pradesh

An earlier report by The Hindu, from Paderu/Anakapalli, said four people reportedly died after a truck and a small tipper caught fire at the site in Pinakota panchayat of Ananthagiri mandal, along the border with Devarapalli mandal in neighbouring Anakapalli district, while diesel was being poured — and that one vehicle exploded, a sound heard in downhill villages. The toll was later reported as five by IANS. Some other early reports attributed the deaths to a blasting mishap during road work; police have not confirmed any such cause, and Awaaz Punjab is treating the cause as not yet established.

Source: The Hindu via Scoopfeeds

What is solid

  • Five people were killed in a fire at a road construction site near Pinakota in ASR district on Saturday morning, IANS reported quoting police
  • Three vehicles — a Bolero Camper, a tipper lorry and a two-wheeler — were gutted
  • SP Amit Bardar said the fire appeared accidental

What is only claimed

  • The cause of the fire: police say it is not yet established; early reports variously described a diesel-filling fire and, in some reports, a blasting mishap — neither has been officially confirmed
  • The identities of the deceased, and whether they were workers or passersby, have not been officially confirmed

Police personnel rushed to the spot after the blaze was reported and began assessing the situation, IANS said. Officials are expected to establish the sequence of events and the circumstances in which the fire spread to the three vehicles.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA