VIJAYAWADA: In a major fire mishap in Delta Sugar factory near Hanuman Junction in Bapulapadu mandal in the district on Monday, 31,000 tonnes of Bagasse got gutted. The estimated loss is said to be several crores.
As the bagasse was put in heaps in the open yard of the sugar factory away from the main factory, the fire did not spread to it. A total of 67 heaps of bagasse kept ready for transport to paper mills got gutted.
At around 1pm, factory workers saw smoke coming out of heaps of bagasse during the shift change and alerted the factory administration and fire officials. Fire tenders from Hanuman Junction, Eluru and Gudivada rushed to the spot and put down the fire, but by the time most of the heaps were gutted.
Though the chance of short circuit was ruled out, reason for the fire mishap is yet to be ascertained. Fire Services officials are investigating the case.