A fire broke out at the 'yagna' organized by Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao in Medak. The incident happened ... Read More

HYDERABAD: A fire broke out at the 'yagna' organized by Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday afternoon.

The flames were immediately brought under control and no one was injured in the fire at the venue of the five-day 'Ayutha Chandi Maha Yagam' being performed by Rao at his farm house near here, police said.

The incident occurred at around 1.30pm at Erravelli village in neighbouring Medak district when fire, that erupted from the 'homagundam' (pedestal for sacred fire), spread to the 'Yagashala' shed (made of grass), they said.

At least three fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze was immediately extinguished. In the incident the 'Yagashala' shed was partially burnt, Medak sub-division DSP G Raj Ratnam said.

"No one was injured in the incident and all the people present there were immediately evacuated. The flames have been brought under control," the DSP said.

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) confirmed that a small accident led to the fire at the 'yagna' pandal.

President Pranab Mukherjee, who was expected to attend the ritual on the final day of the event, "cancelled" his visit reportedly following the incident, the DSP said.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu attended the 'yagna' earlier on Sunday morning.

Sunday is the last day of the five-day 'yagna' being performed by Rao at his farm house.

According to reports, about 2,000 priests from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are taking part in the mega 'yagam' being performed for universal peace.

Rao has spent about Rs 7 crore on performing 'Ayutha Maha Chandi Yagna' in the state for universal peace.

"There was an unfortunate fire accident at the Ayutha Chandi Yagam. No casualties or injuries (reported so far). The last leg of the ceremony will be completed soon," said KT Rao, Telangana minister.

(With inputs from agencies)

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