Major Fire Erupts in Hyderabad Commercial Building on Jubilee Hills Road
A significant fire incident occurred in a multi-storeyed commercial building located on Jubilee Hills Road No. 36 in Hyderabad on Thursday, resulting in four individuals having a narrow escape from the dangerous blaze. The fire broke out at approximately 11:20 am, rapidly spreading to the front facade elevation of the structure and causing widespread panic among nearby residents and businesses.
Occupants Forced to Break Glass Panels to Flee Thick Smoke
As thick, choking smoke quickly engulfed the building, the trapped occupants were compelled to take drastic measures to save their lives. According to eyewitness accounts, the four people inside the building at the time of the incident broke glass panels along the staircase area to create an escape route and jump to safety. The smoke had become so dense that visibility was severely impaired, making conventional exit routes impassable.
Narsamma, one of the escapees, recounted the terrifying experience to media representatives: "My wife, two other family members, and I were inside attending to minor civil works when we became trapped as the smoke spread rapidly. We initially retreated to the third floor, but soon began experiencing significant difficulty breathing due to the heavy smoke. Fearing for our lives, we decided to descend in near darkness."
Another survivor added: "Although we used a torch, visibility was extremely poor. We managed to descend using the stairs, and all four of us then broke the glass panels along the staircase to escape the building."
Welding Sparks Identified as Cause of Blaze
Investigations revealed that the fire originated from welding work being conducted on the property. The building, which previously housed Mangala Gowri Grandeur, had been vacant since December when the management vacated the premises. On Thursday, the property owner had hired welders to dismantle the plaster of Paris (POP) elevation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Venkat Reddy explained to TOI: "When they were at work, sparks from the welding fell on the POP, which caught fire and spread to the elevation. Fortunately, the property inside the building remained intact despite the exterior damage."
Fire Department Response and Traffic Disruption
The Hyderabad Fire Department responded promptly to the emergency, rushing multiple fire tenders to the location and initiating aggressive firefighting operations. Their swift action prevented the flames from spreading to neighboring buildings, which had been a major concern as the fire initially erupted.
To facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles, one side of the busy Jubilee Hills Road was temporarily closed to regular traffic. This precautionary measure allowed fire department officials to work efficiently without obstruction from vehicular congestion.
The building's watchman reportedly noticed the fire early and escaped from the premises before the situation escalated. After approximately one hour of intensive firefighting efforts, the blaze was successfully brought under control, preventing further damage to the structure and surrounding area.
Safety Concerns in Vacant Commercial Properties
This incident highlights significant safety concerns regarding renovation work in vacant commercial buildings, particularly when involving activities like welding that carry inherent fire risks. The rapid spread of the fire to the building's facade demonstrates how quickly such incidents can escalate, especially in structures with combustible materials present.
The narrow escape of all four occupants serves as a stark reminder of the importance of having multiple accessible exit routes and proper safety protocols during construction and renovation activities. Their decision to break glass panels to create an escape path likely prevented what could have been a tragic outcome given the speed at which the smoke filled the building.
