Fire in private orphanage home in Krishna district, four children suffered burns, two boys hospitalised due to suffocation

Fire at Gannavaram orphanage injures six children, prompt response by officials, children rescued, situation under control.

Fire broke out in a private orphanage home, located at Gannavaram in Krishna district in the wee hours on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Four boys suffered burn injuries, while two others were hospitalised due to suffocation, said the officials.

According to the fire and police officials, a fire mishap occurred in Rural Education and Compassionate Helps (REACH), a private orphanage home for children around 1.30 a.m.

“The reasons for the cause of mishap were not known immediately. Injured children were admitted to Government General Hospital (GGH), and they were discharged as their condition was stable,” the Fire department officials said.

Gannavaram Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ch. Srinivas, who visited the spot said that four children suffered minor burn injuries and two fell sick due to suffocation.

“Police who were on night patrolling observed flames and alerted the Gannavaram police and fire officers. Fire tenders rushed to the spot and put off the flames,” the DSP told The Hindu on Tuesday, February 18, 2025..

Juvenile Welfare Department Additional Director Madhusudhan Rao, Krishna district Child Welfare Committee (CWC) members Chandragiri Radha Kumari, Y. Ravi Bhargav and Ch. Raj Kumar, Gannavaram MRO Venkata Shivaiah, Mandal Education Officer Ravi Kumar and other officers visited the spot.

Orphanage home correspondent Nemalikanti Sailaja said that 140 children were in the two-storied building when the fire mishap occurred.