Massive Fire In Forest On Top Of Kailasagiri Hills In Andhra, Involvement Of Anti-Social Elements Suspected

Massive fire spread in the Kailasagiri hills near the Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district. The involvement of anti-social elements is suspected.

Visual of forest fire seen in Kailasagiri hills from a distance. ( Image Source :ANI )

A massive fire erupted in the Kailasagiri hills, creating panic at the Srikalahasti Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district on Wednesday night. It is suspected that anti-social elements started the blaze. The fire could be seen from the distance as it rapidly spread around the forest. However, no casualties were reported in the incident. 

In a video shared by news agency ANI, the fire can be seen on top of the Kailasagiri hills. Later, locals were seen trying to douse the massive fire in the forest with branches and cloth. However, the massive fire continued to spread. 

#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: A massive fire broke out in the forest of Kailasagiri hills near Srikalahasti Temple in the Chittoor district yesterday. No casualty was reported.

(Late-night visuals) pic.twitter.com/m8SE4NG9ax

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2023

The Srikalahasti Devasthanams officials told Times Of India that the wildfire at the Kailasagiri hills was allegedly triggered by some miscreants who had ventured onto the hills. It spread up fast up to the Goshala near the Srikalahasti temple. 

Forest Fire At Kailasagiri Hills: Involvement Of Anti-Social Elements Suspected

The officials at the Srikalahasteeswara Swamy Devastanams at Srikalahasti in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh suspected involvement of anti-social elements, reported Times Now.

Though the forest officials made frantic efforts to douse the fire with branches of leaves and cloth, they were unsuccessful. They then called the fire department who rushed to the spot soon. 

At the time, the temple officials said that all efforts were being made to protect the 700 bovines sheltered at the Goshala. 

The Srikalahasti legislator B Madhusudan Reddy had instructed the local officials to control the massive fire. He visited the Goshala and reviewed the situation and directed the firefighters to ensure that the cows do not face any difficulties. There are more than 800 animals in the temple of Goshala, Times Now reported. 

On March 30, a fire broke out at a temple in Andhra Pradesh's Duva village during Ram Navami celebrations. The canopies accidentally caught fire, this is believed to be the result of a short circuit.