Hyderabad: A devastating fire at a furniture store in Hyderabad’s Nampally area has claimed five lives, with the bodies recovered nearly 22 hours after the blaze broke out, officials confirmed on Sunday. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the locality, even as authorities announced compensation for the victims’ families and launched a criminal investigation.
The fire erupted around 1 pm on Saturday at a multi-storey building housing a furniture shop near Nampally Station Road. Firefighters battled intense flames and thick smoke through the night. After the blaze was brought under control, a prolonged rescue operation led to the recovery of five bodies trapped inside the building. The rescue operation has now been officially concluded.
Rs 5 Lakh Compensation Announced
Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh (approximately $6,000) to the families of each deceased victim. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, the minister said preliminary findings suggest negligence by the shop owner, and assured that the government would extend all possible assistance to the affected families.
The bodies were shifted to Osmania General Hospital for post-mortem examinations. Family members were brought to the hospital to assist with identification before autopsies were conducted.
Ministers Visit Site, Order Probe
Hyderabad In-Charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had been informed of the incident. He ordered the registration of a criminal case against the shop owner for alleged violations of fire safety norms.
The minister directed officials from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), police, fire services, and revenue departments to coordinate closely and take strict steps to prevent such incidents in the future. He also urged citizens to report buildings that do not comply with fire safety regulations.
Fire Safety Lapses and Illegal Basement Use
Telangana Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh Mann said the fire was intensified due to the presence of highly combustible materials, including furniture, rexine, and chemicals stored illegally in the basement, which had been converted into a warehouse.
“Our preliminary investigation indicates that the basement was misused. A large quantity of chemicals made it extremely difficult for rescue teams to enter,” Mann said. He added that when the fire broke out, the victims attempted to escape toward a ramp but were trapped because a metal shutter on the staircase was closed, preventing their exit.
He confirmed that the building management did not obtain mandatory fire department clearance, despite presenting compliance during the permit stage. “Such violations are common, and we will take strict action,” he said.
Rescue Hampered by Smoke and Chemicals
Rescue teams faced severe challenges due to dense smoke and toxic fumes in the basement. The first body was located at 9:15 am on Sunday, after firefighters worked overnight to control the fire and clear hazardous materials.
Fire Safety Director Vikram Mann noted that while the building’s structural integrity appeared intact, the fire safety violations and improper storage significantly worsened the situation.
Structural Inspection Underway
Concerns have been raised about the building’s safety. A team from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) is expected to inspect the structure and submit a detailed report on its stability and compliance with construction norms.
Families Protest at Site
Relatives of the missing victims staged protests outside the building during the rescue operation, demanding immediate information. At one point, some attempted to break a wall to enter the premises, but were restrained by police and officials, who later managed to calm the situation.
Authorities say the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by fire safety violations and illegal commercial practices, especially in densely populated urban areas. Further investigation is ongoing.