Amaravati: A major fire broke out on the fourth floor of the library building at KL University in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday night. The blaze was triggered by a short circuit in an air conditioner. A major disaster was averted as no students were inside the building at the time.
Loud explosion-like sounds and flames visible from outside the building sent students on the campus running for safety. University staff were alerted in the meantime and moved quickly to respond to the situation.
Water sprayed by the fire safety equipment installed in the library building brought the flames under partial control. The university’s security staff alerted the Mangalagiri fire services, whose personnel reached the spot and brought the fire under control. As the students were outside when the fire broke out, a major tragedy was avoided.
Large number of books gutted, staff say
The university management heaved a sigh of relief as no one was hurt in the incident. The extent of the damage and the items destroyed in the fire are yet to be ascertained, though staff said a large number of books were gutted. The incident comes as road and fire accidents have been gradually rising with the shift from the rainy season to summer-like conditions.