Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, 9 November 2026, directed state officials to stay on high alert and enforce preventive fire safety measures after a string of fire incidents erupted across the state in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations. The incidents caused significant property damage across multiple districts, prompting the Chief Minister to personally review each case.

Key Incidents Across Andhra Pradesh

The most significant blaze in Andhra Pradesh struck an automobile showroom in Rajam, Vizianagaram district, where Diwali firecrackers accidentally landed on the premises and ignited the structure. Spare parts and engine oil worth over ₹25 lakh were destroyed, with officials noting that lubricants caused the fire to spread with unusual speed. Senior Fire Department officials confirmed they reached the site promptly and contained the blaze.

In Gannavaram, Krishna district, sparks from firecrackers set a furniture shop alight. Separately, in Tiruvuru, NTR district, another commercial establishment was gutted following a short circuit. All three incidents were reviewed directly by the Chief Minister before he issued his directive to officials.

What Chandrababu Naidu Directed

After enquiring into each of the three incidents, Chief Minister Naidu expressed concern over the scale of property losses. He instructed officials across departments to remain vigilant and adopt appropriate precautionary measures to prevent further accidents. The directive underscores a broader pattern — post-Diwali fire incidents in commercial and residential areas have recurred in the state in previous years, often exacerbated by stored flammable materials.

Massive Kukatpally Industrial Fire in Hyderabad

Meanwhile, a major fire broke out in an industrial zone in Kukatpally, Hyderabad, in the early hours of Monday. The Kukatpally Fire Station received the distress call at approximately 3:45 am. The blaze originated at a GRP warehouse in Asbestos Colony, under Kukatpally Police Station limits, and rapidly spread to an adjoining unit that manufactures Kurkure and paper teacups and plates.

Tin sheds of the warehouses collapsed under the intensity of the fire. Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were deployed; the operation lasted more than three hours. Dense smoke engulfed the surrounding area, triggering panic among residents in adjacent localities. One person sustained minor injuries in the incident. The fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, according to officials.

MRO Office Fire in Rangareddy District

In another incident, fire broke out at the MRO (Mandal Revenue Office) office in Chevella, Rangareddy district, near Hyderabad. Official records were reportedly destroyed in the blaze, which is also suspected to have originated from a short circuit. The loss of government documents adds an administrative dimension to what has otherwise been a property-damage-focused series of fire incidents.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The cluster of fires — spanning both Andhra Pradesh and the Hyderabad region — reflects a recurring post-festive season risk, when firecrackers, stored combustibles, and ageing electrical wiring converge. Fire safety advocates have long flagged inadequate inspections of commercial establishments and industrial warehouses as a structural gap. With Chief Minister Naidu's directive now in place, state fire departments are expected to step up inspections and public awareness campaigns. How swiftly those measures are implemented will determine whether this remains a seasonal spike or becomes a more sustained public safety concern.