70 thatched houses gutted in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: About 70 thatched houses completely gutted in a fire accident in Kusumalapadu village of L N Peta mandal in Srikakulam district on Sunday morning when the residents, most of them agricultural labour, were away at work. The cause of the fire was not known. As there was not fire engine nearby, the villagers and residents of the neighboring village tried to douse the flames by carrying water from the well in the village. By the time the fire engine reached the place, the flames were almost controlled. The villagers said they lost everything except the clothes on their person. About 15 domesticated goats and sheep perished in the fire as they were tied in the backyards of the houses. There was no loss of human life. The villagers demanded that the government should set up a fire engine at the head quarters of every mandal so as come to the rescue of the people during such fire accidents.