30 thatched houses gutted in fire

At least 30 thatched houses were gutted in a major fire at Kakinada of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, fire officials said.
The blaze broke out along the canal bund at Indrapalem, which rendered over 50 families homeless, they said.
Three fire extinguishers from Salipeta and Jagannadhapu were pressed into service to douse the flames, which began spreading fast after two small gas cylinders also exploded smashing the roof in two houses.
However, there was no loss of life in the mishap. The cause behind the fire is yet to be ascertained, District Additional fire officer V Veerabhadra�Rao said.

District collector Neetu Kumari Prasad, Revenue and Police officials have reached the spot.