Daijiworld Media Network- Hyderabad
Hyderabad, May 15: Panic gripped the bustling Afzal Gunj area of Hyderabad on Thursday after a massive fire erupted in a multi-storey building near the iconic Gol Masjid in the busy Siddi Amber Bazar locality. Prompt action by the fire department led to the rescue of nine people, including two children and an elderly woman, who were trapped on the third floor of the building.
According to police sources, the fire originated on the first floor of the structure where plastic disposables were reportedly stored in large quantities. The flames quickly spread upwards, engulfing the second floor and leaping toward the third floor where a family resided. Realising the danger, the occupants raised an alarm, drawing immediate response from emergency services.
Six fire tenders were deployed to the site after locals alerted the Fire Services Department. With thick smoke blanketing the area and staircases rendered unusable, firefighters employed cranes and ladders to rescue the trapped residents through windows.
"The situation was tense as the smoke made it nearly impossible to use the internal staircase. But our teams acted swiftly and successfully rescued all nine individuals with minimal injuries," said a senior fire officer.
The rescued victims were shifted to a nearby hospital. While they suffered minor injuries, all are reported to be out of danger.
Officials from the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), fire brigade, and local police were on-site, working in coordination to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring commercial establishments.
Though the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, authorities suspect a short-circuit could have triggered the mishap.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a private bus caught fire on the Hyderabad-Nagpur national highway in Medchal Malkajgiri district. The vehicle, en route to Kompally from Banda Mylaram, was completely gutted. Fortunately, no passengers were on board at the time. The quick-witted driver and cleaner managed to escape unhurt after they noticed smoke and exited the bus just in time.
Both incidents have raised concerns about fire safety measures in commercial and transport sectors, with officials urging establishments to adhere strictly to fire norms to prevent future tragedies.