Fire at Asia's biggest chilli market in AP results in mega financial loss

Guntur, May 3 : A major fire damaged a chilli market yard in Guntur on Saturday has caused heavy financial losses.

A fire broke out at the famous Chilli Market, one of Asia's largest, situated at Guntur district in the morning.

According to the police, about 500 chilli shops were gutted in the blaze. About 1.5 lakh chilli bags were in the yard.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy who is in New Delhi said that an inquiry will be ordered into the incident.

"Since the fire has engulfed the chilli factory chemical foam would not be of much help in dousing it. We need to put out the blaze with water. Huge water tankers and fire extinguishers have been rushed to the spot to bring the fire under control. We thought of pressing helicopters to put out the fire, but that was ruled out. Now we are seeking help from ONGC to bring the blaze under control," said Reddy.

Due to the high velocity winds, the fire also spread to cold storages in the yard and nearby houses engulfing the entire market yard.

ANI