China News Service, August 9th. According to the "Times of India" report, in the early morning of the 9th local time, a fire broke out in a hotel in Vijayawada, India that was temporarily converted to a new crown care center, killing at least 7 people. According to reports, the cause of the fire was allegedly an electrical short circuit. At that time, there were about 30 new crown patients receiving treatment in the facility.
According to reports, the hotel Swarna Palace was rented by a private hospital to treat patients with COVID-19. In the past two weeks, about 30 patients were admitted to the facility by this hospital. When the fire broke out, about 10 medical staff were present to help.
Officials said that most of the dead were due to smoke inhalation. As patients with new crowns already have respiratory problems, the smoke caused by the fire has exacerbated the conditions of some patients.
Vijayawada police chief said that the fire broke out near the reception area on the first floor. Subsequently, the fire quickly spread to the second floor. According to the report, according to the footage captured by bystanders, after the fire broke out in the reception area, the fire spread quickly from the other end of the hotel building.
The police chief said that about 30 people have been rescued and the fire has been brought under control within 25 minutes. When a fire broke out, because the building had no external safety exit, the patient could only be rescued with a ladder.