A fire mishap gutted 38 thatched houses belonging to members of the Konda Reddi tribe in Sarlanka village of Prathipadu mandal, Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred on Monday night, reportedly due to a short circuit in the village electricity supply. No human or cattle casualties were reported. The fire spread quickly through the cluster of thatched huts while many residents were away at the weekly shandy ahead of Sankranti celebrations.
Incident Details
The fire broke out in Sarlanka village, which lies near the border of Anakapalli district. The affected houses belonged to 56 families. The thatched structures were highly vulnerable to rapid spread of flames. Local residents said the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit and engulfed nearby homes within a short time.
Impact on Tribal Families
The loss was severe for the Konda Reddi tribal households. Many families had recently harvested paddy, which was still in the fields and had not been brought home. The destruction of houses and household belongings has left the affected families in immediate distress. The absence of mobile network in the village delayed communication with authorities.
Relief and Local Response
District police launched relief operations soon after the incident came to light. Local representatives, including Kakinada Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Sana Sateesh and Prathipadu MLA Varupula Satyaprabha, visited the village. Initial assistance and assessment of damage are under way. The incident has brought into light the vulnerability of rural settlements with thatched housing and limited communication infrastructure.
Broader Significance
The fire puts stress on the risks posed by faulty electricity supply in rural areas. It also reflects the challenges faced by tribal communities living in dispersed settlements with limited emergency access. Such incidents often expose gaps in fire safety preparedness, network connectivity, and disaster response at the village level.
Last Modified: April 26, 2026