Alluri Sitharama Raju, October 24, 2026: At least five people were killed in a major accident at a road construction site in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday morning after a fire broke out while a vehicle was being refuelled, police said.
The incident occurred at Pinakota village in Anantagiri mandal at around 8:30 am. Police said a spark may have ignited diesel during refuelling, after which the fire spread to nearby vehicles. Some reports said gelatin sticks stored for road-widening work subsequently exploded.
Five People Confirmed Dead
Alluri Sitharama Raju district Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar confirmed that five people had died in the incident.
Police teams were sent to the remote construction site to carry out rescue work and determine the exact sequence of events.
Fire Broke Out During Refuelling
According to the preliminary police account, workers were refuelling a construction vehicle using diesel transported in drums.
The site is located around 100 kilometres from major settlements, and fuel is reportedly brought to the area in containers to keep construction machinery operating.
Spark Suspected to Have Triggered Fire
Police said workers may not have taken adequate precautions while transferring fuel.
A spark is suspected to have ignited the diesel, causing the initial fire. Investigators have not yet made a final determination regarding responsibility or possible safety violations.
Police Initially Called It an Accidental Fire
SP Amit Bardar said the incident should initially be treated as an accidental fire rather than a deliberate blast.
Police emphasised that the precise cause remains under investigation and that forensic and site inspections will be required before a final conclusion is reached.
Reports Point to Gelatin Sticks at Site
Separate accounts from the scene said gelatin sticks used for rock-breaking and road-widening work were present near the vehicles.
According to those reports, the fire may have caused the explosive material to detonate after the initial ignition.
Teacher Among Those Killed
The victims reportedly included three construction workers, a vehicle driver and a government schoolteacher who was travelling along the road when the incident occurred.
The teacher was reportedly on her way to school when she was caught in the accident.
Vehicles Completely Gutted
Police said the fire began in a pickup vehicle and spread to a nearby dumper truck and a two-wheeler.
All three vehicles were badly damaged or completely gutted in the incident.
Remote Location Complicated Emergency Response
The accident occurred in a hilly and relatively isolated part of the district, making immediate access more difficult.
Police and revenue officials rushed to the location after receiving information about the fire and fatalities.
Road-Widening Work Was Underway
Construction crews were reportedly engaged in widening a ghat road in the area.
Gelatin sticks and other blasting material are commonly used in such terrain to break rock formations, but investigators will examine whether storage and handling procedures were properly followed.
Investigation Into Safety Protocols
Authorities are expected to examine the contractor’s safety procedures, fuel-handling arrangements and storage of explosive material at the site.
Investigators will also determine whether the required permissions and safeguards were in place for transporting and storing gelatin sticks.
Andhra Pradesh Government Responds
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed grief over the deaths and sought information from district officials.
She directed the administration to provide assistance to the affected families and ensure medical support for anyone injured in the incident.
Exact Cause Yet to Be Established
While early police statements point to an accidental fire caused during refuelling, reports of a subsequent gelatin-stick explosion mean investigators will need to reconstruct the sequence carefully.
Authorities have not yet announced findings establishing negligence or criminal responsibility.
Probe Continues
Police teams are examining the site, damaged vehicles, fuel containers and construction equipment as part of the investigation.
Further details, including the final cause of the accident and whether safety rules were violated, are expected after the inquiry is completed.
Source: PTI, The Indian Express, The Week, Times of India
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