A destructive fire erupted at a cloth shop in Nellore’s vibrant Santapeta market on Thursday night, September 26, 2025. The inferno quickly spread, consuming ten additional adjacent shops in its wake. Fortunately, due to the late hour and the shops being closed, no casualties were reported.
Upon receiving the emergency call around 9 p.m., both the Santhapeta police and the Fire Department rapidly deployed to the scene. Nellore District Fire Officer Srinivasa Reddy confirmed that two fire engines were instrumental in bringing the blaze under control within just half an hour. Preliminary assessments suggest the fire was likely caused by a short circuit.
The collective property damage is currently estimated to be around ₹10 lakh. However, Revenue Department officials are slated to conduct a detailed assessment to determine the precise financial impact of the tragedy. Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) Commissioner Y.O. Nandan also visited the site to inspect the extensive damage firsthand.
In the aftermath, concerned shopkeepers have raised serious questions regarding the functionality of over 34 surveillance cameras in the area, reportedly inactive for the past fortnight. They are now appealing to authorities for a comprehensive investigation into the incident and prompt compensation to help them recover from their substantial losses.