An explosion of an electrical transformer led to a major fire accident in a commercial complex at Begumpet on Sunday morning. Luckily, none was injured. Traffic, however, came to a standstill for more than three hours and police officials diverted the traffic through alternative routes.
A flexi-made banner tied to the electrical transformer caught fire after the blast and spread to the first-floor of the three-storeyed Harmony building. Owing to the morning wind, flames spread rapidly to the Shah Decors' showroom on the first-floor and Fasttrack and Sony showrooms in other floors resulting in major property loss, officials said.
After receiving a call around 9.30 a.m., a fire tender stationed at the Chief Minister’s camp office was rushed to the spot. Even as fire-fighting operation was on, seven other fire tenders from Secunderabad, Moula Ali, Malkajgiri, Filmnagar and Gowliguda were pressed into service along with a snorkel. “We had to battle for almost six hours to douse the flames,” said Secunderabad Fire Officer K. Vijay Kumar.
Mr. Kumar said decorative articles, mattresses and other items in the décor showroom were reduced to ashes. Articles in the Fasttrack showroom were also damaged but major property loss was averted in Sony showroom as it is under renovation, he said. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) has supplied water through 20 tankers.
“We are yet to assess the exact loss of property in the mishap,” Mr. Kumar said, adding that over 50 fire personnel took part in the operation and the building lacked fire safety systems. Building owner Rajesh Shah told reporters that the loss could be around Rs.2 crore and alleged that the fire tenders did not reach the spot on time.
