Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI,SEPT : At least eight people, including a woman, were killed after a major fire broke out at an electric showroom at Secunderabad on Monday night, police said.

The fire broke out at 10 pm and spread to a lodge and a restaurant in above four floors of a building located near the passport office. The hotel staff and guests noticed the fire and smoke emanating and alerted the fire department. Fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the flames.

Police suspect that the e-bikes that were parked in the ground floor were kept on charging mode in the evening, which could have possibly led to the fire.

At least 25 people were believed to have been trapped in the building, some of whom jumped from their windows, while some were rescued by fire fighters.

“It appears there are 23 rooms in all the four floors in the hotel. The smoke traversed through the staircase from the bottom up to the top floor and completely engulfed all floors.”

“Some people who were sleeping in the first and second floors came to the corridor through the thick smoke and died due to asphyxiation,” Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand who visited the spot told reporters.

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According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the electric scooters were being charged on the ground floor, which may have led to a short circuit or fire. Around 24 people were trapped inside, out of which six died and others were rescued and most of the victims belonged to other states.

TV visuals suggested that some people tried to jump out of the hotel windows in a bid to escape the fire.

Telangana | Remaining people jumped from the building and were rescued by locals. They were rushed to the hospital, fire tenders on the spot: Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand pic.twitter.com/uDrwDCSw8t

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Heavy smoke engulfed the lodge on the upper floor of the building after the fire broke out in the showroom on the ground floor. “Exact reasons for fire, whether it is due to short circuit or charging of batteries in the cellar or in the first floor where the scooter showroom is located, will be known after the Fire Department’s investigation,” police said.

Around 35-40 electric vehicles of the GEMOPAI brand were parked in the cellar of the building with charging units. A short circuit is believed to be the reason behind the mishap.

The owner is absconding after the incident. No Fire NOC was taken from the authorities and fire safety equipment were not functioning in the premises. The building has only one exit.

It is a very unfortunate incident. Fire brigade teams tried their best to rescue people from the lodge but due to heavy smoke, some people died. Some people were rescued from the lodge. We are probing how the incident happened,” Telangana Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali told ANI.

Very unfortunate incident. Fire brigade teams tried their best to rescue people from the lodge but due to heavy smoke, some people died. Some people were rescued from the lodge. We are probing how the incident happened: Telangana Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali https://t.co/6MwdNqzFKh pic.twitter.com/tMd1IW0yYH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the fire mishap and announced financial aid of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased.

Saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire in Secunderabad, Telangana. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be paid to the injured: PM @narendramodi

Meanwhile, the Transport Ministry has taken note of the fire incident and a probe will be ordered once the cause of the fire is ascertained. Telangana Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao, expressing grief over the incident, in a statement said the state government will offer Rs three lakh as ex-gratia to the families of the deceased.

-PTI