VIJAYAWADA: An elderly woman was burnt alive and three others were injured when a fire engulfed several houses close to Flower Market near Municipal Corporation office here on Wednesday.
According to sources, the deceased has been identified as Rama Devi who tried to escape the fire but since she was aged, she could not move in time and was burnt alive. It is suspected that a gas leak in a house had led to the fire in a house which soon spread to the entire colony. About 150 houses were gutted.
Police sources said that the fire broke out in the afternoon when the colony residents were out for work and as a result could not stop the fire when it was in the initial stages. Consequently, cash and household items were also burnt in the fire.
Three fire tenders battled the flames for a long time before they could bring them under control. Municipal Administration Minister P Narayana visited the mishap site and consoled the residents and assured them of all possible assistance.