Three of a Family Killed in Major Fire Mishap at Jiyaguda

HYDERABAD: Three members of a family, including Gorakanti Srinivas, a carpenter, his two daughters aged G. Shiva Priya, 10, and G. Harini, five, died, while his wife G. Nagamani is battling for life with 50 per cent burns, when a massive fire broke out around 1 am in a furniture unit-cum-residential complex at Venkateswaranagar, Jiyaguda, on Wednesday.

Although, all of them were rushed to OGH burns ward, three succumbed and the condition of Nagamani is stated to be critical, Kulsumpura police said.

The fire was triggered by a short circuit in the basement that spread to the entire building and the godown on the terrace, which had heaps of adhesive solution, rexine, chemicals and furniture.

The entire building, which has six apartments, is occupied by over 21 people, who were trapped in the thick poisonous smoke emanating from the deadly chemicals. The impact of the fire was such that it not only damaged furniture and electronic goods in the adjacent building but also gutted all TSSPDCL live wires, internet cables and seven bikes parked in the lane. As a result, the entire power supply was shut down.

Two unit workers Hassan Ali and Mohammed Safaul Ansari, who jumped from the second floor of the building suffered fractures. Their condition is stated to be stable.

According to V Ashok ADFO Hyderabad, Kulsumpura police got a call around 1.22 am. They rushed to the scene with eight fire fighters, including a circle fire brigade and DRF teams. The extensive fire in the basement and at the rear gate made it impossible to gain entrance.

“We broke the window of the second floor, where the family stayed, and rescued 11 of those trapped inside using a ladder,” he said.

“Over 50 fire fighters, three DRF teams, police personnel and locals were involved in the rescue operation. The fire was extinguished by 7 am,” a firefighter said.

The building is at the dead-end of a narrow 100-metre lane that restricted movements of fire tenders. This delayed efforts to douse the fire, sources in the fire department said.

Police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 106 of BNS Act against Dhananjay Bandsal, owner of the furniture unit and the building, and took him into custody.