Hyderabad: Nine people were killed and eight others injured after a major fire broke out in the 900 Megawatt Srisailam left bank hydalpower station in Telangana on Thursday night. The underground power plant is located about 220 Kms away from Hyderabad.

According to the rescue operation sources, the fire could have been sparked by a short circuit in one of the electric panels of the powerhouse and then spread to other parts. Loud blasts were heard even as the flames started to spread, said sources. Though the fire started at 10.30 pm on Thursday, the bodies of the people trapped inside were retrieved only on Friday afternoon. Thick fume engulfed the 1.2 Km long tunnel leading to the plant, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the place where the blaze started.

There are two exit routes from which the eight employees escaped while nine others died trying to douse the fire and save the power plant, said the sources. It took hours because of smoke clogging. As the power was suspended, the exhaust fans were not functional and it was dark. We used the smoke clearing equipment to make our way in. By morning, we covered almost 1 Km, the last 500 m were tough, said the Regional Fire officer V. Pappaiah.