Fire breaks out at Left Bank Power House in Telangana; nine feared trapped

A fire broke out at an underground hydroelectric power station situated at Srisailam's Dam Left Bank canal in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district.

The fire was followed by an explosion and is said to have taken place late on Thursday.

Initial reports suspect short circuit to be the cause of the fire.

A total of 17 persons were reportedly present at the spot out of which, eight managed to escape to safety through a tunnel. However, the remaining nine are believed to be still trapped inside the complex. 

Firefighters have reached the spot and rescue operation is underway. Thick smoke has engulfed the spot, making it difficult for the firefighters to carry out the operation.

Telangana minister Jagadish Reddy and TS Genco CMD Prabhakar Rao arrived at the spot to oversee the rescue efforts. Reddy informed that the incident occurred in the first unit of the power station and four panels were damaged, adding that thick smoke didn't let the rescue personnel to enter the tunnel.

Power generation operations at the power station have been suspended.