Explosion In AC Compressor Unit Led To Tragic Fire Mishap at Gulzar Houz
Authorities suspected that it was being operated continuously for a few days
Hyderabad: Fire department officials on Monday narrowed down on the cause of Sunday’s fire tragedy at Gulzar Houz to an explosion in an AC compressor unit, though more investigations were needed. Authorities suspected that it was being operated continuously for a few days.
Officials found the compressor completely burnt, and were presuming, prima facie, that it exploded and the fire spread to the electrical meters nearby. They said that heavy smoke was emitted due to the accident in several ACs on the ground floor.
Director General, fire disaster response, Y. Nagi Reddy said "The main power meter, the AC compressor unit and the AC unit were found completely burnt. However, we cannot completely conclude that the AC compressor is the main cause of the fire. We are still investigating the accident."
Other possible reasons that officials shortlisted was a short circuit to which old wiring might have contributed.
A fire department officer, who requested anonymity, said “The fire began at the ground floor and spread to the upper floors. The preliminary investigations did reveal that a short circuit was the reason for the fire, but the faulty wires might have been the cause for the short circuit.”
“If the wiring is old, the usage of AC’s and other heavy appliances in the house could cause overloading issues on the wires itself. That can lead to the wires melting, and then a short circuit could have taken place”, the officer added.
The officer also requested people to regularly check for faults in wiring and follow basic safety procedures to avoid a major fire. “Never put one’s bed, or any flammable materials to the wall where the AC is mounted. Always maintain a little gap under the AC. That way, if the AC malfunctioned and any sparks fall down from it, they will fall on the floor”, the officer said.
Meanwhile, a PTI report said five departments would probe Sunday’s fire tragedy. Fire, police, GHMC, revenue and HYDRAA would jointly probe the tragedy and submit a report to the government. Chief Minister A, Revanth Reddy had ordered the inquiry into the fire accident on Sunday.
As part of measures to prevent such fire mishaps in future, the government would involve local public representatives to impress upon residents of old buildings to install fire safety measures in the interest of their safety, Hyderabad in-charge minister Ponnam Prabhakar said, according to PTI.
A team from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is scheduled to visit the scene for investigation, a senior police official told PTI.
The official further said a fire accident case was registered in connection with the incident. Further investigation would proceed as per its findings, he added.