At least five people, including a woman, were killed after a massive fire broke out in a four-storey furniture shop building in Hyderabad’s Nampally area, sending shockwaves across the city. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday and led to a prolonged rescue operation that continued into Sunday due to heavy smoke inside the building, officials said.
According to police, the fire spread rapidly through the commercial structure, trapping several people who were staying in the basement. The victims were identified as family members of a security guard and other workers employed at the furniture shop. Authorities revealed that temporary accommodation had been arranged for them inside the building, which proved fatal when smoke filled the enclosed space.
Emergency teams rushed to the spot soon after the fire was reported. Personnel from the fire department, local police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) worked together to control the blaze and search for those trapped inside. Although firefighters managed to bring the fire under control by Saturday night, thick smoke and poor visibility made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
A senior police official confirmed that the bodies of five victims, including a woman, were recovered from the building on Sunday. The delay in retrieval was attributed to the intense smoke and the structural layout of the premises, which complicated access to the basement area.
The incident has raised serious concerns over fire safety compliance in commercial buildings. Preliminary assessments suggest that the shop may not have followed mandatory fire safety norms. Taking a strong stand, Transport and Hyderabad District in-charge Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed shock over the tragedy and directed officials to initiate criminal proceedings against the shop owner for allegedly violating fire safety guidelines.
The Telangana government has assured full support to the families of the deceased and is working on providing necessary assistance and compensation. Authorities have also ordered a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and to examine whether negligence played a role in the loss of lives.
The tragic fire has once again highlighted the urgent need for strict enforcement of fire safety regulations, especially in commercial establishments where workers and their families are often exposed to unsafe living conditions. Officials have indicated that inspections of similar buildings across the city may be intensified to prevent such incidents in the future.