VISAKHAPATNAM: Two floors of Srikanya complex, a famous and popular cine complex in the busy Gajuwaka area of the city, were completely gutted in a fire on Monday morning. Luckily, there were no casualties or injuries, as the fire started in the morning when the theatres were empty.The reason behind the blaze is yet to be ascertained, though it is suspected that short circuit in either the AC machine room or in one of the two cell towers atop the building might have caused it. This is the first time that a major fire has been reported in a theatre in the area.As per initial estimates, the loss could range between 6 to 7 crore as the two theatres - Srikanya and Srikanya Heaven - were completely gutted. The cine complex has three theatres in three floors, and barring the one on the first floor which suffered minimal damage, the second and third floors have been completely destroyed.The fire is believed to have started around 6.15am on Monday and spread rapidly through the AC vents.The smoke was first noticed by sweeper Chittemma when she came to clean the theatres. She was seen running out of the complex in the CCTV footage at around 6.20 am. She informed the other sweepers and watchman of the complex who in turn alerted the accountant, who called the police and fire brigade office.Srikanya cinema complex has three screens - Kanya in first floor, Srikanya in second floor, and Srikanya Heaven in the third floor. While Kanya and Srikanya theatres were constructed more than three decades ago, Srikanya Heaven was built six to seven years back. The fire started in the second floor Srikanya theatre and spread to Srikanya Heaven on the third floor. All the furniture, seats, ACs, sound systems, projectors, screens and others were completely gutted."After receiving the call from the control room, we rushed to the spot at around 7 am and took immediate precautions to check the fire from spreading to first floor theatre Kanya. The blaze in the other theatres was brought under control in about one and half hours," district fire services chief BVS Ram Prakash said.DCP K Fakkeerappa told TOI that eight fire tenders were pressed into service.

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