Fire at chemical godown

Stored gas cylinders explode, leading to tension in Kukatpally

A major fire broke out at a chemical godown in Vignapuri colony of Kukatpally on Saturday afternoon, triggering panic in the residential area.

Five scooters and one car parked outside the building were gutted in the mishap.

Eye witnesses said the fire broke out at around 3.30 p.m. in the ground floor of the four-storied building and soon spread to the upper floors.

Gas cylinders stored in the premises exploded, leading to tension in the area, they said.

Alerted by local people, the police immediately rushed to the spot and summoned fire tenders.

The building owner was believed to have been using the ground and the upper two floors for storing chemical substances while a couple of offices were situated on the third floor of the building.

It took about an hour for the fire personnel to bring it under control.

“The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and investigation is on,” said P. Prabhakar Reddy, District Fire Officer.

Revenue Division Officer, Chevella Division, P. Ravinder Reddy, who visited the spot, said necessary action would be initiated against the owner of the building after conducting an enquiry.

Residents of the area complained that the authorities were deliberately allowing chemical godowns and units to function in residential areas and wanted the authorities to close them down.