A fire broke out at the prasadam preparation centre of Sri Kalahasteeswara temple in Srikalahasti, Tirupati district, on Thursday after a reported gas leak, prompting the temporary suspension of prasadam preparation and the disconnection of power supply around nearby mandapams.
The fire erupted while laddus, vadas and annaprasadam were being prepared for the deity at the facility located beside the temple’s southern tower, according to a report by Deccan Chronicle. The report did not state whether anyone was injured or provide details of the extent of damage to the centre.
Fire personnel reached the spot after receiving information and began operations to bring the flames under control. Power supply was disconnected as a precaution to prevent danger or inconvenience to devotees in the surrounding mandapams.
The incident placed a food-preparation facility serving temple devotees at the centre of the temple’s immediate safety response. Such facilities combine cooking operations, gas use, electrical connections and the movement of staff and visitors, making the management of fuel systems and access routes important during operating hours. The available report, however, does not provide details of the centre’s equipment, safety inspections or the precise cause of the gas leak.
Temple executive officer Venkateswarlu and chairman Kotte Sai Prasad inspected the prasadam preparation centre after the fire. Their inspection followed the emergency response and the precautionary shutdown of power in the surrounding area.
Prasadam preparation has been temporarily suspended while necessary safety measures are put in place at the facility. The report did not specify how long the suspension would continue, whether alternative arrangements would be made for devotees, or whether a formal inquiry into the incident had been ordered.
The next operational step is the implementation of safety measures at the prasadam centre before preparation activities resume. Further details on the cause of the gas leak, the condition of the facility and the restoration of prasadam services were not immediately available in the supplied report.
