Tragedy struck in Hyderabad on Monday morning when a fire erupted in chemical drums stored in the stilt area of a four-story building, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people, including two women and a child.
The incident occurred in the Bazarghat residential area near Nampally at approximately 9:30 am, according to Deputy Commissioner of Police M Venkateshwarlu.
Locals reported that the fire initially started as a small incident in the stilt area but rapidly spread throughout. Authorities were alerted at 9:38 am, prompting a swift response with five fire tenders dispatched for rescue operations. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also notified, sending two teams to assist in the rescue efforts.
Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control within an hour, rescuing a total of 21 individuals trapped in the building. All of them were promptly transported to Osmania General Hospital.
Unfortunately, eight of the rescued individuals were unconscious, and seven of them, as reported by the hospital, succumbed to injuries—some due to burns and others due to asphyxiation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated during car repairs in the stilt floor, where chemical drums were stored. The chemical in question, described as inflammable and used in fiber-plastic manufacturing, caught fire.
The DCP stated that storing such hazardous chemicals without permission is prohibited, especially in a densely populated residential area. However, he emphasized the need for a formal complaint to take necessary action. The circumstances leading to the ignition and the subsequent fire are yet to be fully ascertained.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated during car repairs in the stilt floor, where chemical drums were stored. The chemical in question, described as inflammable and used in fiber-plastic manufacturing, caught fire. The DCP stated that storing such hazardous chemicals without permission is prohibited, especially in a densely populated residential area. However, he emphasized the need for a formal complaint to take necessary action. The circumstances leading to the ignition and the subsequent fire are yet to be fully ascertained.
