Hyderabad: Fire breaks out at garments store in Ameerpet’s Maitrivanam

A fire broke out at a garments store in Maitrivanam, Ameerpet on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters rushed to the spot and launched operations. No casualties have been reported so far, while nearby buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Hyderabad: Property worth crores was gutted down when fire broke out at a building housing several shops on Ameerpet Road on Thursday afternoon. No casualties were reported as the shop owners along with the staff rushed out of the building on noticing the fire.

The fire started around 12.30 pm, and on noticing it, the individuals working in the shops in the building ran for safety and informed the fire department over phone about the fire. The local police were the first to reach the spot and, noticing the intensity of the fire, evacuated people from the adjoining buildings.

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The fire tenders reached the spot and started the firefighting operation that lasted for around two-and-a-half hours. The police had cordoned off the area, and traffic was diverted on alternate routes to facilitate the firefighting operation and control the fire to prevent it from spreading to other buildings. Goods stored in five shops were damaged due to the fire.

District Fire Officer (Secunderabad) Ajmeera Sreedas told ‘Telangana Today ‘ that ten fire tenders were directed to the spot soon after the fire broke out in the building. “We received a call at 12.40 pm; the local fire tenders reached the spot first. On being informed about the magnitude of the fire, more firefighting vehicles were directed to the spot. The fire was brought under control within two-and-a-half hours,” said the official, adding that they suspect the fire started due to an electric short circuit and the exact cause is being ascertained.

Former Minister and BRS leader, Talasani Srinivas Yadav, visited the spot and interacted with the affected shop owners and assured to take their issue with the government. He also met the officials of the fire department and police.

The affected shop owners alleged that the fire was triggered due to the exhaust system of a mess located adjoining the building. They complained that despite several complaints, the owners of the mess did not pay heed to their request and were preparing food on wood on the second floor.

However, the management of the mess, speaking to media, termed it false allegations and suspected the fire broke out due to a short circuit in electrical wiring in the shops. They said the police and fire department will probe the cause of the fire and the truth will come out.