Tragic fire accident claims the life of a young engineer in Anakapalle

KAKINADA: 22-year-old Challapalli Harika lived in a straw hut with her mother and grandmother and had promised to lift her family out of poverty once she started earning money.

Unfortunately, she could not fulfil her promise as she lost her life in a fire accident at the Escientia Advanced Sciences Private Limited office in Atchutapuram Special Economic Zone in Anakapalle district, leaving her mother Annapurna devastated.

Harika had completed her Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) from IIIT-Idupulapaya a year ago and got a job in a pharmaceutical company. The young man was a bright student since childhood and became the sole breadwinner of the family.

Harika's father Eswara Rao, who used to work as a mason, died five years ago. Rao fell into depression after his only son, Harika's younger brother, went missing. The family later came to know that he had died.

“Annapurna had taken care of Harika with the help of her mother-in-law. Before Harika got a job, they lived in a thatched house on the roadside. Harika always told her mother that she would take them out of poverty and build a beautiful house for the family,” her family members recalled.

Harika and her family had moved into a rented house in Valasapakala village after getting the job.

Harika visited her home shortly before the accident

Harika completed her internship six months ago and secured a job in the company. Harika's death had left her mother Annapurna all alone. Annapurna lives in Valasapakala village in rural Kakinada. Harika had been to Kakinada for Rakhi two days ago.

“She came home on Monday. Harika tied the rakhi on her cousin and spent the next day with her family members. When she was about to leave for Anakapalle on Wednesday, her family members asked her to stay home for one more day. However, Harika said she did not have many days of leave left and left,” her family said.