24 thatched houses gutted in fire

Around 24 thatched houses were gutted in fire in Vemulavada village of Gangavaram mandal in East Godavari district, a government official said.

The incident took place last night and the cause of the fire is suspected to be short circuit in high-tension electricity transmission wires, Rampachodavaram sub-collector Gandham Chadrudu said today adding that there was no casualty in the incident.

Nearly 100 persons were rendered homeless due to the fire. All the victims have been shifted to a government school and given some financial assistance, he added.