Firefighters evacuate residents in 22 minutes after a basement fire triggers thick smoke
Hyderabad: Firefighters, swiftly acting under the ‘Incident Command’, chalked out an evacuation plan within 22 minutes and rescued 17 persons, including an 18‑month‑old boy, trapped in thick smoke from a G+4 building in TNGOs Colony, Gachibowli, on Monday. Two inmates who panicked and tried to escape sustained severe burns. Over 11 motorbikes and furniture in the basement were gutted, officials said.
“We all panicked after thick smoke engulfed our houses. We were hardly able to breathe and screamed for help. Firefighters with sirens and torches reached the first floor and guided us safely to the terrace. They also split into rooms and rescued two children trapped in smoke,” said Venay Kumar, a resident.
The fire broke out in the basement at 7.02 am. Fire tenders from Gachibowli and Madhapur rushed to the scene. “On observing the building’s topography, we conducted Incident Command with Khaja Kareemullah as commanding officer. Teams split into three: One extinguished the basement fire, another prepared Fire Bronto machines after tripping the current supply, and the third climbed the staircase to rescue inmates,” said leading fire officer N. Balakrishna.
“The Incident Command role is crucial. Even a slight mistake can lead to complications,” Balakrishna added.
“Our fighters promptly initiated firefighting and rescue operations; unfortunately, two persons sustained severe burn injuries,” Kareemullah said.
Preliminary observations indicate the fire originated from an electrical panel board in the cellar. The blaze spread to the first floor before being extinguished, causing thick smoke to affect upper floors.
N. Rajashekar, an IT company employee, sustained severe burns and was admitted in the ICU of an hospital. Around 13 others were admitted for smoke inhalation, while others were treated as outpatients, police said.
The first floor housed two PG rooms and a commercial establishment, while the upper floors accommodated PGs and two families on the third floor. The fire has been brought under control, and investigation is in progress.
Chemical Blast Triggers Major Fire at Pharma Unit in Sangareddy; No Casualties
Hyderabad: A chemical blast triggered a fire at a pharmaceutical unit, Erythro Pharma Private Limited, in the Gaddapotharam industrial area of Sangareddy district on Monday evening. Employees panicked and fled the premises as thick black smoke billowed into the sky. No casualties were reported.
The incident occurred while solvents were being loaded into reactors, police said. It was suspected that a stray spark during the process triggered the explosion which eventually led to a fire that spread rapidly on the campus.
Upon receiving an alert, three fire engines, including those from Narsapur, IDA Bolaram, and a industrial fire station were pressed into services. The fire force and brought the situation under control and helped prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent units.
The fire is believed to have damaged machinery and materials inside the unit. A case is registered and police initiated an investigation. District fire officer Nageswara Rao visited the site and reviewed the situation.
