Tension gripped the busy Abids area, as fire broke out in a ground plus three-storeyed building housing Fantoosh garments showroom forcing a handful of customers and shop assistants in the building to scamper to safety on Wednesday evening.
Access to the busiest thoroughfare of the State capital had to be blocked for vehicles as fire tenders raced from different locations as far as Sanathnagar and Malkajgiri as blaze spread. Customers of the Big Bazaar and a footwear shop on either side of the building too were vacated by authorities.
Vehicular traffic went haywire, as motorists slowed down and took the circuitous route from Ramkrishna theatre to Troop Bazaar via MJ market side.
More than 40 fire-fighters manning ten fire tenders battled the fire for nearly four hours to bring the situation under control. Thick plumes of smoke rising from the structure could be seen from far off places too.
No one injured
Thousands of people lined up the street to watch the fire fighting operations. None was injured in the incident.
Authorities could not immediately conclude how the fire began but said it seemed to start on the second-floor of the building and spread. Possibility of an electric short-circuit is not being ruled out.
Dress material gutted
Garments and other dress material put up for sale in the shop were completely gutted.
The Fantoosh shop has been a favourite for many customers as it offers reasonably priced garments. Police authorities have not yet estimated the extent of loss.
Fire-fighters faced problems as there was only one entry point to the building.
Even as the Abids drama was unfolding, a chemical godown went up in flames in Mallapur industrial area at Nacharam on the city suburbs. On receiving information from residents, two fire tenders from Moula Ali and Hayathnagar rushed to the spot and doused the flames.
Foam used
“We used foam extensively as chemical solvents were stored on the ground floor of the two-storied godown,” Malkajgiri Fire Officer R. Sambhamurthy said.
He said the cause of fire and property loss could not be established as the building owner went missing after the incident.
Probe ordered
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy directed officials to enquire into the reasons for the two major fire accidents that took place at Abids and Mallapur.
He asked the officials to take necessary precautionary measures and organise publicity campaign to prevent such mishaps in the State, a press release from the Chief Minister's office said.
