Fire breaks out at deserted factory

A major fire broke out at a chemical factory in Medak district on Friday afternoon. None was injured. Fire control officials said four tenders were sent to the Maha Shiva factory at Gummadidala village of Sangareddy to put out the flames.

The tenders were from Narsapur, Patancheru, Dundigal airport and Jeedimetla and firemen were still at work as of Friday night, additional district fire officer B. Sudharharshan Reddy said.

“The factory looks like it is in running condition. But, there was no sign of any worker or supervisor present on the premises,” he added.

The call regarding fire came in at 4:10 pm on Friday, said Cherlapally fire official V. Shekar Reddy.

The damage to property and cause of fire would be only known after the whole situation was brought under control. As of Friday night, there were no casualties as the place looked deserted, officials added. A bus driver hired by the TSRTC was caught driving in an inebriated state in Vikarabad district. His blood alcohol level was 179 mg/dl according to the breathalyser reading.

According to the police, the bus belonging to the Vikarabad depot, had started from Shankarpalli and was headed towards Chevella with around 15 passengers on board and driver Madhukar Goud at the wheel. During the journey, passengers began to find the driver’s behaviour suspicious and sensed that he was under the effect of alcohol. When they tried to question him, he did not respond well, which prompted them to alert the police.

As soon as the bus entered Chevella bus station, traffic police conducted a breathalyser test and confirmed that the driver was inebriated. His blood alcohol level was 179 mg/dl.

A case has been booked against the driver and he will be summoned for counselling.