New Delhi: Eight persons lost their lives while several were left severely injured as fire broke out in an electric automobile showroom, spreading to a hotel situated on the upper floor of the building.
The incident took place in Secunderabad city of Telangana on Monday night.
When the fire broke out on the ground floor of the multi-story building, it spread within minutes to the Ruby Hotel, wherein nearly 25 guests were staying last night.
“Most of the people seemed to have died because of asphyxiation caused by the smoke”, an official told.
The fire department rushed to the spot and rescued several individuals with the help of crane ladders, while some local residents also joined in with the authorities in the rescue operation, he added.
Several horrifying video clips of the instance also surfaced online wherein people can be seen jumping off from the windows of the hotel in order to escape the massive fire.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand informed the media that the fire is under control now and the injured have been admitted to various hospitals in the city for treatment.
Telangana | Six dead after a fire broke out at a hotel in Secunderabad. Fire broke out in electric scooter recharging unit on ground floor, smoke from which overpowered the people staying on 1st & 2nd floors: Hyderabad Commissioner CV Anand pic.twitter.com/35Hbn3GgwW
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2022
“There were electric scooters parked where the fire started. We don’t know if it started because of over-charging and then spread or whether it started elsewhere. That is still being established”, deputy commissioner Chandana Deepti was quoted as saying by the news agency Reuters.
Officials further said that the sprinkler system in the commercial building did not work when the fire took place, and a probe has been launched in the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the kin the deceased as he tweeted, “Saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire in Secunderabad, Telangana. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be paid to the injured”.
Saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire in Secunderabad, Telangana. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be paid to the injured: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 13, 2022
