Hyderabad: A major fire accident was averted in Ameerpet after the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) DRF teams controlled flames within minutes and rescued more than 50 people from a commercial building on Friday.
The fire accident occurred at Aditya Enclave in Ameerpet. Flames erupted in an electrical cable panel board on the ground floor of the Nilgiri Block. Officials said the HYDRAA control room received information at 11:01 am.
Immediately, control room staff alerted field teams positioned nearby. By 11:04 am, the closest HYDRAA DRF personnel reached the spot and began firefighting using extinguishers.
Simultaneously, teams launched rescue operations during the fire accident. Within minutes, two additional teams arrived. Fire and police departments also joined the effort.
Because electrical cables burned near the staircase and thick smoke spread, several people got trapped on the second floor. Therefore, HYDRAA DRF teams used rope ladders and brought them down safely.
Due to the swift response in the fire accident, no casualties were reported. Officials said any delay could have resulted in a major disaster.
Fire accident sparks fresh safety review in Ameerpet
Ameerpet houses major IT training centres and employment institutes. Buildings such as Maitrivanam and Aditya Enclave contain hundreds of coaching centres.
On each floor, dozens of institutes operate daily. Thousands of students attend classes in the locality. Consequently, news of the fire accident put the entire area on alert.
However, coordinated action by HYDRAA DRF, fire and police teams ensured safe evacuation. As a result, officials and locals expressed relief.
HYDRAA Commissioner AV Ranganath inspected the site and reviewed the cause of the fire accident. He said rapid deployment prevented a major mishap.
HYDRAA Additional Director Varla Papaiah also examined the premises. ADPO Mohan Rao briefed senior officials about the cause and rescue measures.
Further, the Commissioner said recent incidents should serve as a wake-up call. He recalled that HYDRAA conducted joint inspections a month ago with fire, GHMC, electricity and police departments and sealed some shops.
Authorities had given one month for compliance with fire safety norms. Now, in view of repeated fire accident incidents, officials are considering amendments to fire laws.
He said the department would submit a report to the government after consultations. After one month, joint inspections will resume and authorities will initiate action where required.
Finally, he urged citizens and building owners to follow fire safety rules strictly. In case of a fire accident, he said, exit routes must remain clear to ensure safe evacuation.