Fire breaks out in Tirumala temple kitchen, no injuries

Nellore: A huge fire broke out in the kitchen of the Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala early on Friday, the very place where the ‘boondi’ that forms the framework of the most-sought after Tirupati laddu is made.

Two fire engines brought the fire under control. Thick smoke engulfed the area, causing panic among pilgrims. Large quantities of ghee, used for making the boondi, had evaporated and got deposited on the ceiling and walls of the kitchen, which led to fire breaking out in the overheated kitchen. The walls and ceiling are cleaned regularly, but the fire was due to an accumulation of the grease at one spot on the walls and ceiling, TTD sources said.