Fire near Padmanabha Swamy temple

A major fire broke out late Sunday evening in a book stall near the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram. Nobody was seriously injured in the fire but the incident caused worry to the police and the Government as it occurred in the area that came under the high-security zone around the shrine.

The police and Fire Force said electrical short circuit could have been the reason for the fire but sources said they were viewing the incident seriously, especially as an experts’ panel was to begin work on Monday for assessing the value of the amazing treasure collection found in the secret chambers of the shrine.

The fire broke out at around 8.20 pm at the stall near the Theerthapada Mandapam, an extension of the shrine, in the East Fort area that housed the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple. The Fire Force doused the fire completely within half an hour. Kerala Devaswom Minister VS Sivakumar said an inquiry would be held into the incident.

The security around the temple was stepped up after the fire in which the book stall was gutted totally. Fire Force officials said it was a bit strange that the fire could spread so quickly to destroy the entire shop.

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