HYDERABAD: Property worth lakhs was gutted in two separate fire mishaps that were reported in the early hours of Wednesday.
A massive fire broke out around 12.30 am at the godown of OTK transport shed-cum-godown adjacent to Sai Baba temple at Chaderghat on Wednesday. Four fire tenders with 16 fire fighters were rushed to the scene by 12.55 am.
Acting swiftly, fire fighters evacuated over eight families staying in huts close to the transport shed.
“A fire tender sprayed water on the eight huts while two were used to extinguish fire at the godown and a fourth sprayed water on five loaded trucks parked close by,” said Praveen Kumar, station fire officer (SFO), Gowliguda.
According to him, different packed parcels containing garments, chemicals, plastic toys and other inflammable material that were inside the shed spread the fire.
Police barricaded all adjoining roads when the firefighting operation was in progress. Once it was extinguished, fire department and police officials arranged for a JCB to remove the packages that were still burning and dumped them to the other side of the ground, Praveen Kumar said.
“Our priorities were to rescue the hut-dwellers and taking control of the situation to contain any further damage,” the SFO said.
“Around 12.15 am, I heard a big noise and came out of my hut. I saw sparks coming out from an electric pole close to the godown; a live wire broke and fell on the sheets of the godown. A few minutes later, the entire godown was on fire, fire tenders were pressed into service while police officials immediately took us to a safer place”, recalled P. Manjula.
“The fire fighters not only saved our lives but our clothes, utensils and other material by their timely rescue act,” said J. Seetamma, a labourer. This sentiment was echoed by M. Gopal Rao, who was also evacuated from his hut.
According to the police the fire broke out due to a short circuit from an electric pole after sparks fell on the thatched roof of the godown that belonged to Mohammed Ismail and Thakur.
Incidentally, in 2021 December, there was a massive fire at the same place where 14 huts were completely gutted, said M. Santosham, Afzalgunj police inspector.
A Pulsar bike parked before the SBI ATM near Yashoda hospital, Malakpet, was completely gutted.
According to Y Prakash Reddy, Chanderghat inspector, the bike owner Mohammed Ishaq had parked his bike to deposit money at the ATM. While he was getting down from the stairs, the bike caught fire, he said.
“We visited the scene during preliminary investigation and realised that fire was triggered by the bike’s wiring. We have registered a case of fire accident and are investigating”, the inspector said.
