Locals Baffled at Clandestine Functioning of Killer Godown for 10 Years

Hyderabad: How the illegally run storage unit had been operating in Balaji Residence at Bazaar Ghat for over a decade now, escaping the attention of all government departments, remains a mystery. Residents claimed that the owner Ramesh Jaiswal had been storing inflammable in the stilt area.

Officials passed the buck, saying that it was the responsibility of the residents to alert them of any illegal activities.

It is a densely populated area which is frequented by government officials and none is aware of its existence, residents said. “Many politicians visited the spot during their campaign, but nobody seemed bothered about this,” they said.

A local, Mary Priya Paul, said that on the face of it, the authorities might claim that they were not aware of this unit but they would definitely be having information unofficially. She said that one individual’s complaint against such an illegal set-up would not work, and it would need group of people to report the matter for the authorities to take action.

Police, who have been conducting election-related cordon and search operations, had failed to detect the illegal chemical dump.

 

How it happened

 

8.30 am: First can containing chemicals explodes at about 8.30 am, reportedly after being struck by a cracker. Fire officials say this is being verified

8.40 am: Mohd Ahmed, a neighbour, tries to remove chemical containers, but they explode.

9.20 am: D. Srinivas, discom sub-station operator, gets call to trip the Red Hills feeder, cut power

9.34 am: Fire control room gets a call regarding fire

9.36 am: First fire tender arrives

9.40 am: Feeder tripped, shutting power

9.45 am: Nampally police arrive, more fire tenders join operation

10.11 am: 16 victims rescued.

11.10 am: Fire brought under control.

Eight fire tenders from different parts of the city were roped in to fight the fire.

 

 

Fires have claimed many lives in the city and in the state

2023:

March: Fire in Swapnalok complex, Secunderabad, smoke kills 6. Case pending for a report from electricity department on the cause of fire.

January: Three people were killed in fire at Deccan Mall, due to a short circuit. Case chargesheeted, pending trial.

September

2022

September: Fire in Ruby Deluxe Hotel kills eight. Case chargesheeted and under trial.

March: 12 migrant workers die in fire at scrap godown at Bhoiguda. Case pending trial

2018

July: Eleven killed in fire in cracker manufacturing unit in Kasibugga of Warangal.

2013

October: 45 people on board a private travel bus killed in Mahbubnagar district.

2008

July: 32 died in fire in Goutami Express  near Kesamudram in erstwhile Warangal district.